Fredy Reyna
Encyclopedia
Fredy Reyna was a Venezuela
n musician
, arranger
and performer, regarded as the undisputed master of the Venezuelan cuatro
, which he elevated to the level of a concert
instrument
, and one of his country's most important cultural figures in the 20th century.
, Venezuela
, April 3, 1917. From a very young age he showed great curiosity and interest in art in all its manifestations. His father, Don Federico Reyna, cultivated several arts and was an amateur musician, photographer and painter. This influenced the young Fredy in his work and life.
Early in his life, he received the rudiments of music from his father at the piano. In 1933, he started private guitar
lessons from Raul Borges
. At the age of 18 Fredy Reyna enrolled in the Escuela de Musica y Declamación in Caracas (today called "Conservatorio José Ángel Lamas
"), where he completed the first four (of six) years of classical guitar studies. His bright intelligence and his necessity to experiment with all the sounds he could muster, quickly branded him as a bad student for not being able to easily assimilate the rigorous musical study methods of that time.
In 1936, enrolled at the Escuela de Artes Plásticas, from where obtained a degree as Professor of Fine Arts in 1939.
In 1943 his first son is born, Federico Reyna, then in 1945 his first daughter is born, Tatiana Reyna, then in 1948, his second son is born, Maurice Reyna and in 1965 his second daughter was born, Anita Reyna.
Between 1947 and 1948, he travelled to Paris
with his wife where he studied stagecraft
in the Ecole d'Art Apliqueé a l'Industrie and a course in guignol
with Gastón Baty, while she continued Ballet studies.
Back in Venezuela, in 1948, motivated by the theft of his prized classical guitar, he decided to switch to the cuatro
, the Venezuelan national instrument. That same year, he "discovered" and recorded Ignacio Figueredo
, a popular harpist whose career he helped launch. Around that time, he came up with the alternate tuning method that became one of his landmark developments and lifelong research topic.
In 1949, the teacher Fredy Reyna directed the Marionette
School of the Ministry of Education and that same year he wrote his first cuatro
method, published in 1957. It was dedicated to Raul Borges
, his former teacher.
In 1958 Fredy Reyna traveled to Europe
where he remained until 1966. In that long period he dedicated himself to research the music for lute and vihuela of the 16th century. He attended courses to systematize and to document his knowledge in diverse categories. Upon his return to Venezuela he made an extensive concert tour as a soloist throughout the country, dictated cuatro
courses, and produced and recorded several albums together with artists like Alirio Diaz
, Conny Méndez
and Morella Muñoz
. During the World Fair in Brussels, he played cuatro in the Venezuelan Pavilion. Whilst living in London, he gave evening classes in Latin American music...classes typified by his kindness and
readiness to encourage. With his family, he gave a programme of Venezuelan music on the BBC Third Programme and the family also gave concerts in various halls.
His innate generosity, along with his vocation as an educator and his love of children took him to collect toy
s, puppet
s and marionette
s for more than 50 years. he made exact replicas of a part of these toys so that the children could touch them and to see how they were made. he even taught toy factories how to construct them.
Fredy Reyna dedicated a part of his life to the manufacture of musical instruments in his workshop. There he spent long hours experimenting in his search for new sonorous applications for his cuatro
.
In 1978, by initiative of his relatives and on the occasion of the artist's 60th birthday, the Foundation known as Fredy Reyna initiated its cultural work, with the goal to offer courses of artistic and integral initiation: Music, Plastic Arts and Theater. In 1990 he received the maximum recognition for a popular artist, the National Prize of Culture (Premio Nacional de Cultura) awarded by the CONAC. In 1993 he finished his new method
for the cuatro
, which he called ALFA BETA CUATRO, published in 1996.
In 1994 his health began to deteriorate, and he died in Caracas
on March 26, 2001, leaving a great void in Venezuela's cultural endeavor.
2. As a publisher
3. As artistic director
4. As recording engineer/editor
5. As musical guest (solo cuatro)
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
n musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, arranger
Arranger
In investment banking, an arranger is a provider of funds in the syndication of a debt. They are entitled to syndicate the loan or bond issue, and may be referred to as the "lead underwriter". This is because this entity bears the risk of being able to sell the underlying securities/debt or the...
and performer, regarded as the undisputed master of the Venezuelan cuatro
Cuatro (instrument)
The cuatro is any of several Latin American instruments of the guitar or lute family. The cuatro is smaller than a guitar. Cuatro means four in Spanish, although current instruments may have more than four strings....
, which he elevated to the level of a concert
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
instrument
Musical instrument
A musical instrument is a device created or adapted for the purpose of making musical sounds. In principle, any object that produces sound can serve as a musical instrument—it is through purpose that the object becomes a musical instrument. The history of musical instruments dates back to the...
, and one of his country's most important cultural figures in the 20th century.
Early life
Fredy Reyna was born in CaracasCaracas
Caracas , officially Santiago de León de Caracas, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela; natives or residents are known as Caraquenians in English . It is located in the northern part of the country, following the contours of the narrow Caracas Valley on the Venezuelan coastal mountain range...
, Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
, April 3, 1917. From a very young age he showed great curiosity and interest in art in all its manifestations. His father, Don Federico Reyna, cultivated several arts and was an amateur musician, photographer and painter. This influenced the young Fredy in his work and life.
Early in his life, he received the rudiments of music from his father at the piano. In 1933, he started private guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
lessons from Raul Borges
Raul Borges
Raúl Borges Requena was a renowned Venezuelan pedagogue, guitarist and composer, mentor of several generations of Venezuelan guitarists.- External links :* * *...
. At the age of 18 Fredy Reyna enrolled in the Escuela de Musica y Declamación in Caracas (today called "Conservatorio José Ángel Lamas
José Ángel Lamas
José Ángel Lamas was a Venezuelan classical musician and composer born in Caracas. He was the main representative of the classical period in Venezuela....
"), where he completed the first four (of six) years of classical guitar studies. His bright intelligence and his necessity to experiment with all the sounds he could muster, quickly branded him as a bad student for not being able to easily assimilate the rigorous musical study methods of that time.
In 1936, enrolled at the Escuela de Artes Plásticas, from where obtained a degree as Professor of Fine Arts in 1939.
Life and career
In 1939, having graduated as a professor of Fine Arts and Drawing, he began teaching classes in the “Escuela Experimental Venezuela”.In 1943 his first son is born, Federico Reyna, then in 1945 his first daughter is born, Tatiana Reyna, then in 1948, his second son is born, Maurice Reyna and in 1965 his second daughter was born, Anita Reyna.
Between 1947 and 1948, he travelled to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
with his wife where he studied stagecraft
Stagecraft
Stagecraft is a generic term referring to the technical aspects of theatrical, film, and video production. It includes, but is not limited to, constructing and rigging scenery, hanging and focusing of lighting, design and procurement of costumes, makeup, procurement of props, stage management, and...
in the Ecole d'Art Apliqueé a l'Industrie and a course in guignol
Guignol
Guignol is the main character in a French puppet show which has come to bear his name.Although often thought of as children's entertainment, Guignol's sharp wit and linguistic verve have always been appreciated by adults as well, as shown by the motto of a prominent Lyon troupe: "Guignol amuses...
with Gastón Baty, while she continued Ballet studies.
Back in Venezuela, in 1948, motivated by the theft of his prized classical guitar, he decided to switch to the cuatro
Cuatro (instrument)
The cuatro is any of several Latin American instruments of the guitar or lute family. The cuatro is smaller than a guitar. Cuatro means four in Spanish, although current instruments may have more than four strings....
, the Venezuelan national instrument. That same year, he "discovered" and recorded Ignacio Figueredo
Ignacio Figueredo
Ignacio Ventura Figueredo , was a Venezuelan folk musician and harpist.-His early successes:At age 11 he made his first public presentations in San Juan de Payara...
, a popular harpist whose career he helped launch. Around that time, he came up with the alternate tuning method that became one of his landmark developments and lifelong research topic.
In 1949, the teacher Fredy Reyna directed the Marionette
Marionette
A marionette is a puppet controlled from above using wires or strings depending on regional variations. A marionette's puppeteer is called a manipulator. Marionettes are operated with the puppeteer hidden or revealed to an audience by using a vertical or horizontal control bar in different forms...
School of the Ministry of Education and that same year he wrote his first cuatro
Cuatro (Venezuela)
The cuatro of Venezuela has four single nylon strings, tuned . It is similar in shape and tuning to the ukulele, but their character and playing technique are vastly different. It is tuned in a similar fashion to the traditional D tuning of the ukulele, but the A and B are an octave lower...
method, published in 1957. It was dedicated to Raul Borges
Raul Borges
Raúl Borges Requena was a renowned Venezuelan pedagogue, guitarist and composer, mentor of several generations of Venezuelan guitarists.- External links :* * *...
, his former teacher.
In 1958 Fredy Reyna traveled to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
where he remained until 1966. In that long period he dedicated himself to research the music for lute and vihuela of the 16th century. He attended courses to systematize and to document his knowledge in diverse categories. Upon his return to Venezuela he made an extensive concert tour as a soloist throughout the country, dictated cuatro
Cuatro (Venezuela)
The cuatro of Venezuela has four single nylon strings, tuned . It is similar in shape and tuning to the ukulele, but their character and playing technique are vastly different. It is tuned in a similar fashion to the traditional D tuning of the ukulele, but the A and B are an octave lower...
courses, and produced and recorded several albums together with artists like Alirio Diaz
Alirio Diaz
Alirio Díaz is a Venezuelan classical guitarist.The eighth of eleven children, Díaz was born in Caserio La Candelaria, a small village near Carora in western Venezuela. From childhood he showed a great interest in music. At age 16 he ran away from home to Carora, where he sought better schooling...
, Conny Méndez
Conny Méndez
Juana María de la Concepción, commonly referred as Conny Méndez, was born on 11 April 1898 in Caracas, Venezuela, and died in Miami, 26 November 1979. She was a composer, singer, writer, caricaturist, actress and metaphysican....
and Morella Muñoz
Morella Muñoz
Morella Muñoz , was a celebrated Venezuelan mezzosoprano.- Early life and career :She received primary education at the Venezuela Ricardo Zuloaga Experimental school, and the San José de Tarbes school...
. During the World Fair in Brussels, he played cuatro in the Venezuelan Pavilion. Whilst living in London, he gave evening classes in Latin American music...classes typified by his kindness and
readiness to encourage. With his family, he gave a programme of Venezuelan music on the BBC Third Programme and the family also gave concerts in various halls.
His innate generosity, along with his vocation as an educator and his love of children took him to collect toy
Toy
A toy is any object that can be used for play. Toys are associated commonly with children and pets. Playing with toys is often thought to be an enjoyable means of training the young for life in human society. Different materials are used to make toys enjoyable and cuddly to both young and old...
s, puppet
Puppet
A puppet is an inanimate object or representational figure animated or manipulated by an entertainer, who is called a puppeteer. It is used in puppetry, a play or a presentation that is a very ancient form of theatre....
s and marionette
Marionette
A marionette is a puppet controlled from above using wires or strings depending on regional variations. A marionette's puppeteer is called a manipulator. Marionettes are operated with the puppeteer hidden or revealed to an audience by using a vertical or horizontal control bar in different forms...
s for more than 50 years. he made exact replicas of a part of these toys so that the children could touch them and to see how they were made. he even taught toy factories how to construct them.
Fredy Reyna dedicated a part of his life to the manufacture of musical instruments in his workshop. There he spent long hours experimenting in his search for new sonorous applications for his cuatro
Cuatro (Venezuela)
The cuatro of Venezuela has four single nylon strings, tuned . It is similar in shape and tuning to the ukulele, but their character and playing technique are vastly different. It is tuned in a similar fashion to the traditional D tuning of the ukulele, but the A and B are an octave lower...
.
In 1978, by initiative of his relatives and on the occasion of the artist's 60th birthday, the Foundation known as Fredy Reyna initiated its cultural work, with the goal to offer courses of artistic and integral initiation: Music, Plastic Arts and Theater. In 1990 he received the maximum recognition for a popular artist, the National Prize of Culture (Premio Nacional de Cultura) awarded by the CONAC. In 1993 he finished his new method
Method (music)
In music, a method is a kind of textbook for a specified musical instrument or a selected problem of playing a certain instrument.A method usually contains fingering charts or tablatures, etc., scales and numerous different exercises, sometimes also simple etudes, in different keys, in ascending...
for the cuatro
Cuatro (instrument)
The cuatro is any of several Latin American instruments of the guitar or lute family. The cuatro is smaller than a guitar. Cuatro means four in Spanish, although current instruments may have more than four strings....
, which he called ALFA BETA CUATRO, published in 1996.
In 1994 his health began to deteriorate, and he died in Caracas
Caracas
Caracas , officially Santiago de León de Caracas, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela; natives or residents are known as Caraquenians in English . It is located in the northern part of the country, following the contours of the narrow Caracas Valley on the Venezuelan coastal mountain range...
on March 26, 2001, leaving a great void in Venezuela's cultural endeavor.
Discography
1. As a Cuatro Soloist- Método de Cuatro - 200 fórmulas de acompañamiento - Caracas: Ediciones Fredy Reyna, 1956
- Cuatro Suites de “Cuatro” - Caracas: Ediciones Fredy Reyna, 1957,1958
- América en el Cuatro - Caracas: Ediciones Fredy Reyna, 1958
- Fredy Reyna - Solos de Cuatro - Caracas: Ediciones Fredy Reyna, 1972
- Fredy Reyna - Solos de Cuatro - Caracas: Ediciones Fredy Reyna, 1981
- Danzas y Canciones para los Niños - Caracas: Fundación Fredy Reyna, 1981
- Homenaje al Libertador Simón Bolívar - Solos de cuatro - Caracas: Ediciones Fredy Reyna, 1983
- El cuatro de Fredy Reyna - Caracas: Fundación Fredy Reyna, FUNDEF, 1994
- Homenaje a Fredy Reyna - Caracas: D'Empaire Reyna & Asociados, 1997
- Fredy Reyna, cuatro solista - Caracas: Deltaven-PDV, 1997
2. As a publisher
- Song
- Carlos Enrique Reyna Serenata - Caracas: Ediciones Fredy Reyna, 1958
- Morella Muñoz Canciones de América - Caracas: Ediciones Fredy Reyna, 1958
- Conny Méndez A mi Caracas - Caracas: Ediciones Fredy Reyna, 1967
- Paco Vera Cantos y Corridos - Caracas: Fundación Fredy Reyna, 1992
- Poetry
- Aquiles Nazoa Poesía y humor de Aquiles Nazoa - Caracas: Ediciones Fredy Reyna, 1958
- Miguel Otero Silva Elegía coral a Andrés Eloy Blanco - Caracas: Ediciones Fredy Reyna, 1958
- Piano music
- Rosita Montes and Luisa Amelia Azerm (accompanied on the cuatro by Raul Borges, Ramón E. Azerm and Fredy Reyna) Piano a cuatro manos. Música instrumental del siglo pasado - Caracas: Ediciones Fredy Reyna, 1956
- Luisa Elena Paesano - Valses de Luisa Elena Paesano - Caracas: Ediciones Fredy Reyna, 1969
3. As artistic director
- El Ultimo Cañón - Caracas: Sociedad de Amigos de la Música, 1956
- Tun tun In addition to artistic direction, Reyna played cuatro, scraper, furruco (Venezuelan friction drum), bells, pandeiro and sang background vocals. - Caracas Fundación Fredy Reyna, Dimagen, 1980.
4. As recording engineer/editor
- Alirio Díaz and Morella Muñoz Alirio y Morella: Canciones, tonadas y aguinaldos venezolanos - Caracas: Espiral, 1967
- Abraham Abreu Curso de Iniciación Musical - Caracas; Inciba 1968
5. As musical guest (solo cuatro)
- Selección de Música de Venezuela - Caracas Compañía Shell de Venezuela, 1957
- Serenata Guayanesa El canto popular venezolano - Aguinaldos - Caracas, 1976
See also
- VenezuelaVenezuelaVenezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
- Venezuelan music