-“Paraguan harp music will be able to fascinate all participants”: harpist Ismael Ledesma

With the support from the Embassy of Paraguay, The KF Global Center held a renowned Paraguan harpist concert recently as part its “KF Gallery Open Stage 1” concert series.

Renowned Paraguayan harpist Ismael Ledesma’s harp concert at the KF Global Center held recently.

Paraguay Amb. Irineo Raul Silvero Silvagni said it was prepared to increase cultural friendship between the two nations during its opening ceremony remarks. Also Ledesma said he is confident that his harp music will be able to fascinate all participants this evening through his interpretation.

Among Diplomatic Corps., Singapore Amb. YIP Wei Kiat , Philippines Amb. Raul S. Hernandez & his spouse, Belarus Amb. Andrei Popkov & his spouse, Kenya Amb. Mohamed Abdi Gello, and Cote D’Ivoire Amb. Sylvestre Kouassi BILE etc. showed up.

According to his website, Ismael began studying harp at age 5 with his father. From an early age, he participated in student festivals, folklore exhibitions and private receptions. He won his first prize for general interpretation in 1975. His education was primarily in folklore and entirely self-directed. Ledesma was also dedicated to sports; especially soccer where he participated in two soccer clubs: Clubes Fernando de La Mora and Presidente Hayes. He also began studies in economic sciences.

In 1982 he traveled to France where he joined two already established groups: Los Tupí and Los Diablos of Paraguay. He immersed himself in the Parisian music scene through working with Paraguayan and other Latino groups. Later he moved to Lebanon with Pedro Fernández and the late Alberto Jara. While there, he culminated his soccer career by participating in the Ahali Sarba Soccer Club. Returning to France, he became dedicated to his musical studies at the Alfred de Vigny Conservatory in Paris. He also received diplomas in Language and Civilization at the Sorbonne.

In 1985 he decided to launch a solo career in music, playing his own compositions exclusively while touring Germany, Finland, Belgium, Portugal and Luxumberg, as well as the Middle East countries Jordan, Turkey, Egypt, among others.

In 1991, he wins the 1st Price in the "Festival Rochas del Arpa" in Asuncion, Paraguay, in the category "Composers", with the music title Aromas del Mundo (Aromas of the World). In the same year he organized the group “Su América” with Mónica Sotomayor and Javier Contreras, though it disbanded a year later.

He recorded his first album, Paisaje Tropical (Tropical Landscape), and, since then, has had many triumphs and successes during a life dedicated exclusively to composition and the interpretation of the Paraguayan Harp.

 

저작권자 © 서울시티 무단전재 및 재배포 금지