Editor's Note: BCJ frequently receives word about former residents who are out in the world doing interesting things and leading fascinating lives. Whenever we can, we will bring you their "stories." In the first piece below, a former resident came back to us.

This past March, Marija Temo wowed Revere Middle and High schools students with her flamenco/classical guitar/dance demonstration. She had her audience of energetic teens singing in Spanish, tapping their shoes and clapping their hands at the passion and rhythm of the music.

An honoree in the Revere High School Hall of Fame, Marija visited her hometown of Bath and gave an hour-long demonstration at Revere Middle School. The Flamenco troupe that performed with her as she sang and played the guitar included Bruce Catalano, guitarist and her first flaenco guitar teacher; Martha Sidahamed, her first dance teacher; Teo Morcha, renowned Mexican dancer; and Marta, singer.

Described by critics as a "triple threat," Marija is widely recognized as a virtuoso classical/flamenco guitarist, flamenco vocalist/dancer and conductor. Her unique specialty is to combine all her talents in a single performance. The guitar she plays is a "Marija Temo" Model flamenco/classical hybrid TM, which she helped to design with luthier Tom Rodriguez.

Marija was "back home" to join the Baldwin Wallace (B-W) College Symphony Orchestra in the world premiere of Tango Fantasy, a work composed by Dr. Loris Chobanian, Composer-in-Residence at B-W, and the second piece written for her.

Flamenco is all about rhythm and emotion. The singing originates in the throat and is exciting and passionate. But the words could portray a longing for love or something as unemotional as a description of boats or Spain, according to Marija.

A trio of her first guitar teachers, Edward Mahoney, her grandfather, who played an acoustic steel stringed instrument, and Flamenco teacher Bruce Catalano are credited for her early instruction. She added that her mother liked Flamenco music, and her parents would go to Jose´ Greco concerts, which also fanned Marija's interest. Her first dance teacher, Martha Sidahmed, led her to her first professional career step, the Fairmount Spanish Dance Company.

Exposure to the music at an early age and encouraging Revere Schools' teachers helped nurture her in her cradle of eminence, she said. Mary Mounts, her "fantastic" Spanish teacher at Eastview Jr. High School, let Marija work Flamenco singing into the fabric of the class and helped her develop as a musician.

Teacher David Peters was amazing; he instilled values of integrity and honesty; Jerry Fry, my counselor, was always there for advice; Mr. Fuller was so much fun; Debby Devore, Mary Ryan and Julie Lehman were wonderful, creative music teachers," added Marija.

Mr. Peters, who teaches at Revere Middle School, remembered that "Marija always persevered in what she attempted. She never gave up."

Marija is a former faculty member of the Preparatory of the Peabody Institute, Johns Hopkins University, where she founded the Flamenco Guitar Program. She has her master's degree from the Peabody Conservatory of Music and her bachelor's degree from the B-W College Conservatory of Music.

Solo concert highlights, involving Marija's programs of classical/flamenco guitar and voice (and sometimes an additional flamenco dancer), have been featured at several guitar festivals and music and guitar series in the United States and abroad.

Among her award highlights, she has received a citation from the Governor of Maryland for her selection for the 2000 Maryland State Arts Council's "Individual Artist Award in Solo Instrumental Performance"; an Alumni-Achievement Award from her college alma mater; induction into the Revere High School "Hall of Fame," together with a music award entitled, "The Marija Temo Award." She has also performed for dignitaries around the world, including the former Spanish Ambassador, Don Jaime de Ojeda; the Crown Prince of Spain; former Vice President Al Gore; and eminent dancer Jose Greco.

In a question-and-answer period following the demonstration, Marija told the students to "Be yourself; be honest; don't let peer pressure get in the way of what you want to do. Support each other's individuality."

When asked how long it took to learn to play, she responded, "I'm still learning." When asked whether she played the video game Guitar Hero she replied, "No, but I'm sure I could beat it!"
For more about this Revere alumna, her Web site is www.marijatemo.com.

Back to top

This was the second composition for Guitar and Orchestra Chobanian had composed especially for Marija Temo. The flamenco-inspired Concierto Del Fuego, (Concerto of Fire) was premiered in 2001 with the BW Symphony Orchestra. Since the premiere, Temo has performed the concerto with many orchestras and appreciative audiences have consistently enthusiastically received the composition.

The three movements of Concierto Del Fuego present diverse characteristics, yet they are based on musical ideas that are homogenous. The thematic material for both the soloist and orchestra use a common language. Soundboard magazine hailed Concierto Del Fuego as the "Concerto of the Century."

Tango Fantasy matches the flamenco inspired Concierto Del Fuego in vitality and substance. The composition combines elements from three continents in a fusion of Middle Eastern melodies, Spanish flamenco falsetas and Argentinean tango rhythms.

The program notes stated: "Tango Fantasy combines the characteristic qualities of both the Argentinean Tango and the Flamenco Tango of Andalusia. Over the years, continents apart, these two dances of the same name have pursued their own individual paths and have developed their own distinct personalities. However, there are noticeable characteristics that hint at their common ancestry. In both dances, for example, we witness a compulsive need for the phrases to end in resolute and excited pulsation.

In February 2007, the composer and his wife Deanna visited many cities in Andalusia, Spain and heard numerous excellent performances of flamenco music. The idea of composing Tango Fantasy germinated during that time in Spain. Melodic patterns of flamenco music have often been influenced by those of the Middle East, especially in the vocal renditions of flamenco. Tango Fantasy incorporates Middle Eastern melodies. Years ago, when flamenco guitarist Carlos Montoya heard that the composer had lived in Baghdad, he stated: ‘You have come from the land of my ancestors.'

Regardless of the many theories and studies that have traced the history of the two dances, the aim of Tango Fantasy was to create something new and that it does. The composition is in one movement and has a balanced formal ternary design. Unlike flamenco music the tonal centers constantly change. Themes of both dances are introduced in succession and develop in many guises that create strong contrapuntal textures. Sometimes they combine to create new units. Midway through the composition the pace slows down to a gentle presence where the inverted forms of the themes are introduced. The solo guitarist renders ornamental
commentary on a gentle harmonic background. The opening passage is restated and the composition ends with an exciting coda. Tango Fantasy is dedicated to the composer's granddaughter Sosi Lyudmilla Swisher.

The soloist Temo's rhythms were precise and fiery. Her rendition seemed to inspire an equally spirited and exact performance from the orchestra. Oltman's beats were expressive and clear. The different characters of flamenco and that of Argentinean tango blended in succession as if they belonged together and they indeed complemented each other naturally. The Middle Eastern melodies were reminiscent of themes that are used to call for prayer. Temo's rasqueados, as expected were exceptional. If there was anything disappointing about the Tango Fantasy, it is the fact that it could have been longer. The audience certainly was in the mood to hear a lot more.

Back to top