Borja Baragaño: Artist Spotlight
Borja Baragaño, a celebrated Asturian piper and flautist,
is best known for his performances with the esteemed group Llan de Cubel. Hailing from Mieres, Asturias, and now living in Ibbenbüren, Germany, his musical path reflects a profound dedication to Asturian culture and a passion for sharing its rich musical traditions.
Borja's musical voyage began at the tender age of four with traditional Asturian dance, and by nine, he had embraced the Asturian bagpipe, a decision that would shape his future. His early years were marked by participation in notable bagpipe bands such as "Banda gaites Villaviciosa" and "Banda gaites Mieres del Camín," with the latter benefiting from his leadership as director for fifteen years.
At sixteen, Borja expanded his musical expertise to include the flute and uilleann pipes, further enriching his repertoire. Before his move to Germany, he was a cherished educator, teaching bagpipe, flute, and uilleann pipes within "Banda Gaites Mieres del Camín," at the traditional music school "La Quintana" in Xixón, and at the Conservatory of Morea d'Ayer.
The turn of the millennium saw Borja join the folk ensemble "Llangres," with whom he achieved national acclaim, recorded three CDs, and performed across Europe. His journey continued in 2007 with the group "DRD," where he contributed to the album "DRD" and represented Asturian music on both national and international stages.
DRD, comprising Ðolfu R. Fernández, Borja Baragaño, and Rubén Bada, is a group celebrated for their contribution to Asturian folk music. Their second album, released in 2008, features "Rodendu," a song that connects deeply with Asturian traditional dance and music, specifically through the dance-game "Los pol.los." This piece is notably linked to La Santa, Santa María Álvarez García, a tambourine player born in 1921 in L.larón, Cangas del Narcea.
Borja's collaborative spirit has seen him work with groups such as "La Bandina'l Tombo," "N'arba," and "Felpeyu," and participate in numerous recordings with artists across various genres. In October 2014, he released his first solo CD, "Onde yo me pueda dir," a project that harmonises his experiences and collaborations over the past fifteen years.
In Germany, Borja remains a vibrant part of the folk scene, teaching and performing, while continuing to celebrate and share Asturian culture and music through concerts and workshops. His current role in Llan de Cubel and engagement with the folk group Larún highlight his ongoing commitment to fostering an appreciation for traditional music across borders.
Borja is a musician with a great sense of humour as he demonstrates here, in one of his many videos on his YouTube channel.
Listen to Borja here
L’escañu - Tales from the llar
First Encounter with Traditional Music: Can you recall your first memory of traditional music?
When I was 4 years old my mother signed me up for traditional dance classes. My first memories are of me dancing in the traditional costume.
Musical beginnings: When did you start playing music and what was your first instrument?
When I was 9 years old I started bagpipe lessons.
Musical evolution: Did you change instruments? If so, when and why?
During the years that I was learning to play the bagpipes, I started with the whistle, then the flute and the uillean pipe (irish bagpipe).
Musical Influences: What was your first favourite band? What album have you played/sung the most?
Llan de Cubel - Llan de Cubel IV
Musical inspirations: What bands or musicians have been your biggest influence?
Llan de Cubel, Kornog - Jean Michel Veillon, Michael McGoldrick. Tiárnan Ò Duinnchin, Padraig McGorvern
Recent tunes: What is the latest CD or album you have listened to?
Tempered - Ryan Molloy
Love for Asturian Music: What captivates you most about Asturian music?
See the video below to see Borja´s love for Asturian music.
Favorite Asturian song: What is your favourite Asturian song of all time?
Los Fayeos de Mayo
Teaching philosophy: What is your teaching philosophy or approach to sharing traditional music?
My teaching philosophy centers on sharing the depth of knowledge I've accumulated over my years of learning traditional music, while keenly adapting to the individual needs and interests of each student. I believe in offering a tailored educational experience that considers whether a student is inclined towards a more traditional approach or seeks to explore the music within the contexts of sessions, folk groups, and other modern interpretations. My goal is to foster a learning environment that respects and nurtures the unique musical journey of every learner.
Memorable performance: Can you share a particularly memorable or meaningful performance experience?
Nava 2015, the first time I went on stage with Llan de Cubel
Musical challenges: What has been the most difficult piece of music you have learned to play and why?
Piece I don't know, but learning to play Irish bagpipes was and still is a musical challenge
Cultural significance: In your opinion, how does traditional music contribute to the cultural identity of a region or community?
Traditional music, akin to language, acts as a distinct nuance that sets communities apart from one another. Listening to a group from the Atlantic arc, for example, allows you to immediately identify their origins without needing further details.
Advice for aspiring musicians: What advice would you give to someone starting out in traditional music?
My advice to anyone embarking on a journey in traditional music is to immerse yourself in listening. Find a style or an instrumentalist that resonates with you and, with your teacher's guidance, aim to emulate that style as closely as possible. Engaging in sessions where you can play and listen to other instrumentalists with varied musical preferences is invaluable. It's also beneficial to explore learning from different teachers to gain diverse perspectives and techniques.
Impact of technology: How has technology influenced the way you play or teach music?
Technology has had a limited impact on my approach to playing the Asturian bagpipe, as I learned through direct, traditional lessons. However, its influence has been significant in my learning and teaching of the flute and, especially, the Irish bagpipes. Without the assistance of YouTube videos, understanding these instruments and attempting to learn them would have been considerably more challenging.
Musical dreams: If you could collaborate with any musician, living or deceased, who would it be and why?
To have the opportunity to play with Elías García again
