The group was born thanks to Jose Antonio Chic, guitar teacher of the Monzon Conservatory since 1992. Chic, these days, he taught the group lessons of guitar, instrument of faint sound that usually isn't part of the staff of the classical orchestra, and he needed to release to his pupils the feeling of making music with other instruments, to create beauty together working everybody in the same direction. That's the reason he added violin, flute, cello, viola, clarinet, trumpet, contrabass, percussion and voice getting many different colors to his little ensemble. The setback came because there were no scores for this strange formation and only then comes the aspect of José Antonio as a composer and arranger. He created an absolutely original repertory which gave to his orchestra an own personality, and special identity sign because any orchestra in the world made this kind of music. Since that time, Ensemble XXI has recorded six albums, it has performed more than 170 concerts and it has allocated all its resources to support young musical talents by organizing international courses with prestigious teachers as
Hopkinson Smith,
Andrew York,
Oscar Ghiglia,
Roland Dyens,
Joaquín Clerch, Alejandro Garrido,
Ricardo Gallén,
Jaime Martín, Júlia Gállego,
Ane Matxain, which have benefited over 700 students from all over Spain, France, Italy and Japan. To celebrate its 10th anniversary, it was holding a series of concerts in which they participated as guests, distinguished personalities such as
Hopkinson Smith,
Gemma Romanyà (CAT), Dimitri Psonis,
Fernando Argenta (SP), Miguel Ángel Angulo, Ane Matxain, Emilio Ferrando and Vicente Alamá.
Staff Currently the staff consists of over 30 young musicians trained in the Conservatory of Music "Miguel Fleta", including
Maria Eugenia Boix, a young soprano who enjoyed the Fellowship "Montserrat Caballé, Bernabé Martí" Improvement of Song, among others. The members of the orchestra are chosen by their teachers of the instrument when it is down a final cycle of studies, that is why during his ten years of history have passed through its ranks some 80 musicians.
Sound and repertoire Ensemble XXI's repertoire is unusual in the classical music circuit, including music and dances of the Renaissance, Celtic, Irish and Scottish ballads, and ethnic music and new trends. It is an innovative new combination concept between guitars and other instruments internationally recognized and appreciated for its high educational value.
Discography • 2001 –
Leyenda Irlandesa • 2002 –
Niebla • 2004 –
El bosque encantado • 2006 –
Retratos del Mar • 2008 –
Secretos de Papel • 2010 –
Postales de Verano ==Repercussion==