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Gitarista
This historical novel takes place during the rise of cosmopolitan Manila in the 70s. Buildings towered over paved roads, vehicles caused traffic jams, business districts were expanding, and the music and arts scene was a burgeoning form of entertainment and a stark representation of the country’s national identity.
Raised by a single mother in the province, guitar virtuoso Alejandro Sebastian is thrust into the classical music scene when he gets accepted into The Conservatory of Music. With the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) a few months away, eccentric maestro Pablo Rocca trains his gifted protégé to become a guitar grandmaster while Dani, a free-spirited violinist, provides friendship and inspiration.
From Manila’s highbrow venues to its darkest corners, Alejandro's musical journey will change all he has known and all he has ever wanted to become. A bittersweet romance between truth and destiny, Gitarista is a young man's search for the symphony of his life.
Gitarista is the awardee for Fiction in English at the Filipino Readers' Choice Awards 2014.
Raised by a single mother in the province, guitar virtuoso Alejandro Sebastian is thrust into the classical music scene when he gets accepted into The Conservatory of Music. With the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) a few months away, eccentric maestro Pablo Rocca trains his gifted protégé to become a guitar grandmaster while Dani, a free-spirited violinist, provides friendship and inspiration.
From Manila’s highbrow venues to its darkest corners, Alejandro's musical journey will change all he has known and all he has ever wanted to become. A bittersweet romance between truth and destiny, Gitarista is a young man's search for the symphony of his life.
Gitarista is the awardee for Fiction in English at the Filipino Readers' Choice Awards 2014.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
384 pages, Paperback
First published September 8, 2013
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About the author
Reev Robledo
10 books57 followersReev doesn't think writing his own biography in the 3rd person is cute.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 8, 2013
Exquisite storytelling. My first time to read a work by my friend Reev Robledo and I was just surprised to find out how good he was able to start, build, weave plot and end a story. This is a finely crafted work of art. My friend seemed to have used everything in his writing arsenal to draft, construct and fine tune every edge and surface of the plot to come up with a believable and heartfelt story. Having done those against a backdrop that he had probably when he was a young Manileno boy in the 70's made relate to his story as I am maybe just a decade or so older than him.
Giratista tells the story of a college freshman and a probinsyano Alejandro Sebastian who is a young guitar virtuoso. When the story opens, he and his mother have just transferred their residence from a city in the south of the Philippine to its capital, Manila. Where is father? That is to be revealed later. Why is his mother not seeing eye-to-eye with his grandparents? That is to be revealed later. Well, there has to be some revelations later; otherwise, the reader will not have the reason to finish the book. But then, when these questions were left hanging towards the middle of the book, Robledo was able to sustain my interest by his mesmerizing prose particularly the way he interspersed parts of his story with the music that his character was playing. For example, in that scene when the protagonist Alejandro is playing Leonor who was the lost love of our National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal? Robledo's prose seems to be moving up and down the music chart like notes swaying swiftly to the baton of a maestro in an well-tuned philharmonic orchestra. Brilliant part.
Just like most novels and I think my being busy and feeling some pressures from both professional and social lives, I thought that some parts are dragging and dialogues are a bit too youngish for my taste. However, Robledo was able to compensate this with his vivid descriptions of his settings. In the second chapter of the book where he described the metropolis was kind of eerie but still effective: reading that part makes his reader almost see what Robledo probably remembered as a young boy. For example, the way Robledo described the Roxas Boulevard in the 70's complete with fishermen in a now too-dirty-for-fish-to-survive water made me imagine how Manila Bay looked during my parents' years. A couple of years back, I even saw a black-and-white photograph of my officemate's parents wearing swimsuits taking a dip in Manila Bay. That is unthinkable now.
I will be eagerly waiting for Pianista a psychological thriller that Robledo plans to release next year, 2014.
Well done, Reev!
Giratista tells the story of a college freshman and a probinsyano Alejandro Sebastian who is a young guitar virtuoso. When the story opens, he and his mother have just transferred their residence from a city in the south of the Philippine to its capital, Manila. Where is father? That is to be revealed later. Why is his mother not seeing eye-to-eye with his grandparents? That is to be revealed later. Well, there has to be some revelations later; otherwise, the reader will not have the reason to finish the book. But then, when these questions were left hanging towards the middle of the book, Robledo was able to sustain my interest by his mesmerizing prose particularly the way he interspersed parts of his story with the music that his character was playing. For example, in that scene when the protagonist Alejandro is playing Leonor who was the lost love of our National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal? Robledo's prose seems to be moving up and down the music chart like notes swaying swiftly to the baton of a maestro in an well-tuned philharmonic orchestra. Brilliant part.
Just like most novels and I think my being busy and feeling some pressures from both professional and social lives, I thought that some parts are dragging and dialogues are a bit too youngish for my taste. However, Robledo was able to compensate this with his vivid descriptions of his settings. In the second chapter of the book where he described the metropolis was kind of eerie but still effective: reading that part makes his reader almost see what Robledo probably remembered as a young boy. For example, the way Robledo described the Roxas Boulevard in the 70's complete with fishermen in a now too-dirty-for-fish-to-survive water made me imagine how Manila Bay looked during my parents' years. A couple of years back, I even saw a black-and-white photograph of my officemate's parents wearing swimsuits taking a dip in Manila Bay. That is unthinkable now.
I will be eagerly waiting for Pianista a psychological thriller that Robledo plans to release next year, 2014.
Well done, Reev!
August 26, 2014
It took me a while to get into the narrative, but once I got past it, I couldn't put the book down. This is the first time I've read something similar to lyrical prose, and Reev's work is very much elegant and engaging as the music he creates. Only a true blue musician would commit into words such passion and love for music as Reev has shown in this book. I used to think that people can either be a musician or a writer, but Reev has clearly demonstrated how he is equally good in both aspects.
Having said that, I truly felt a deep affinity for Alejandro, having read his struggles and accomplishments. I was cheering for him all throughout his auditions to his masterful performance on the world stage. I felt his pain as he tried to make sense of his life after learning about his father's whereabouts. I also loved Maestro Rocca's character as well. I think he has a lot of similarities with Alejandro, and there was something about his eccentric mannerisms that endeared to me.
I'm really curious though on Dani's character. I hope she'd have a story of her own.
If there's going to be any sequel to this novel, I'd definitely read it!
Having said that, I truly felt a deep affinity for Alejandro, having read his struggles and accomplishments. I was cheering for him all throughout his auditions to his masterful performance on the world stage. I felt his pain as he tried to make sense of his life after learning about his father's whereabouts. I also loved Maestro Rocca's character as well. I think he has a lot of similarities with Alejandro, and there was something about his eccentric mannerisms that endeared to me.
I'm really curious though on Dani's character. I hope she'd have a story of her own.
If there's going to be any sequel to this novel, I'd definitely read it!
Read
October 14, 2013A short review of this book is posted in my blog (link).
May 12, 2014
The music plays, and it beckons.
You hear the gentle notes making their way past the strings of the old guitar. They seem to be oh so light, playing with the rays of sunlight that stream from the windows. You are taken away by the silence between notes, and the feeling of flying.
Suddenly, the beast comes pouring in. Angry, raging, staccato. The melody changes, it is intense. Your former state is nowhere to be found. You rage, rage, rage. There is nothing but a building passion - angry, dark, taunting. You strike through the beat like a madman.
... That is, until the tempo slows, and you remember what you're here for. Tame the beast. Play the music. Soothe the soul.
----
This is a book with rhythm and rhyme, flow and fugue, melody and music. It talks about prodigies and musical talent, while remaining rather reminiscent of Manila's glories. It's not perfect, being independently published, but it is an interesting page-turner, and something I thought that was unique, especially among the local Filipiniana books.
This is the kind of book wherein you rather need to be familiar with the songs to get the context. It's fine without that knowledge, but with Leyenda or Por Una Cabeza in the background, the text gains a different light, a different flow. With my headphones on and the music making its way through, I somehow believe that I can better feel the characters, that I can better see the sights, and that I can better hear the cadence. (So yes, do yourself a favor and listen to the music as it plays in the book. The author has links to the music he used on his website.)
The story is centered on a prodigy with a gift for the guitar. Note, however, that this isn't the typical singer-songwriter or guitarist we can find in bands, but the classical guitarist, the gitarista of old. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that such pieces and talents still exist today, especially in this world of pop, rock, jazz, techno, and what-have-you. I was swayed by Alejandro's dizzying journey into the homes of maestros, into the gigs and smoky bars, and into the competitions for success. I can only hope that this kind of genius is still cultivated, even if it's just in the darkened soundproof rooms of a crumbling university.
It was also a journey into the city of Manila, the capital of the Philippines, and the home of many cultural and historic icons. I rode the jeepney past the Cultural Center of the Philippines, I strode the night grass in Fort Santiago, and I braved the busy streets of Quiapo. There is also talk of Dumaguete, Spain, and the campus of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, but its heart seems to have been left in that old, beautiful city.
This book may still use some work with little details, but I believe that this is already quite the masterpiece. The journey is unforgettable, the cameos are fun, the story is interesting, and the music is sublime. Come, take a chance, and do a tango amidst these pages. There's still music to be played on the old guitar.
You hear the gentle notes making their way past the strings of the old guitar. They seem to be oh so light, playing with the rays of sunlight that stream from the windows. You are taken away by the silence between notes, and the feeling of flying.
Suddenly, the beast comes pouring in. Angry, raging, staccato. The melody changes, it is intense. Your former state is nowhere to be found. You rage, rage, rage. There is nothing but a building passion - angry, dark, taunting. You strike through the beat like a madman.
... That is, until the tempo slows, and you remember what you're here for. Tame the beast. Play the music. Soothe the soul.
----
This is a book with rhythm and rhyme, flow and fugue, melody and music. It talks about prodigies and musical talent, while remaining rather reminiscent of Manila's glories. It's not perfect, being independently published, but it is an interesting page-turner, and something I thought that was unique, especially among the local Filipiniana books.
This is the kind of book wherein you rather need to be familiar with the songs to get the context. It's fine without that knowledge, but with Leyenda or Por Una Cabeza in the background, the text gains a different light, a different flow. With my headphones on and the music making its way through, I somehow believe that I can better feel the characters, that I can better see the sights, and that I can better hear the cadence. (So yes, do yourself a favor and listen to the music as it plays in the book. The author has links to the music he used on his website.)
The story is centered on a prodigy with a gift for the guitar. Note, however, that this isn't the typical singer-songwriter or guitarist we can find in bands, but the classical guitarist, the gitarista of old. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that such pieces and talents still exist today, especially in this world of pop, rock, jazz, techno, and what-have-you. I was swayed by Alejandro's dizzying journey into the homes of maestros, into the gigs and smoky bars, and into the competitions for success. I can only hope that this kind of genius is still cultivated, even if it's just in the darkened soundproof rooms of a crumbling university.
It was also a journey into the city of Manila, the capital of the Philippines, and the home of many cultural and historic icons. I rode the jeepney past the Cultural Center of the Philippines, I strode the night grass in Fort Santiago, and I braved the busy streets of Quiapo. There is also talk of Dumaguete, Spain, and the campus of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, but its heart seems to have been left in that old, beautiful city.
This book may still use some work with little details, but I believe that this is already quite the masterpiece. The journey is unforgettable, the cameos are fun, the story is interesting, and the music is sublime. Come, take a chance, and do a tango amidst these pages. There's still music to be played on the old guitar.
November 4, 2013
It is nice to read this the first time without the music, it made mention of some personalities that piqued my interest. And since the personal message of the author did not happen (I went through the book while I am "on the search") - THIS DESERVES A RE-READ - with MUSIC.
By the way, Reev, good job. My sister liked the story, too! :)
By the way, Reev, good job. My sister liked the story, too! :)
July 14, 2015
Heart-warming!...Inspiring!...Classical!...
Don't under estimate the heart of a guitar major!.
I love this book!. It's about musical words, poems, your roots, competition, your friends, your family, yourself, your maestro, your father and your life.
What is the essence of living your genius life without experiencing the curse of it.
A secret that will melt your hopes, heart aches, tremble your bones, or getting out of tune!.
It is between
your heart and your craft,
your destiny or your family,
your ego and your friends.
--------------------------------
Reev, ang galing mo! eto ang hadog kong tula para sa iyo.
Ramdam ko ang eskala ng iyong gitara
ang mga kalyo nito
ang pagbuga ng laway ni Maestro
ang pag-ibig na na-unsiyami
kompetisyon nauwi sa pandaraya
ang multo sa likod ng iyong gitara
ang pagkabigo at pagkabaliw
Ngunit sa dulo pala ay naghihintay
ang pagtanggap sa tunay na dahilan
ang panunumbalik sa yakap ng pamilya
ang muling pagtugtog ng gitara at
ang isang matamis na bukas...
Don't under estimate the heart of a guitar major!.
I love this book!. It's about musical words, poems, your roots, competition, your friends, your family, yourself, your maestro, your father and your life.
What is the essence of living your genius life without experiencing the curse of it.
A secret that will melt your hopes, heart aches, tremble your bones, or getting out of tune!.
It is between
your heart and your craft,
your destiny or your family,
your ego and your friends.
--------------------------------
Reev, ang galing mo! eto ang hadog kong tula para sa iyo.
Ramdam ko ang eskala ng iyong gitara
ang mga kalyo nito
ang pagbuga ng laway ni Maestro
ang pag-ibig na na-unsiyami
kompetisyon nauwi sa pandaraya
ang multo sa likod ng iyong gitara
ang pagkabigo at pagkabaliw
Ngunit sa dulo pala ay naghihintay
ang pagtanggap sa tunay na dahilan
ang panunumbalik sa yakap ng pamilya
ang muling pagtugtog ng gitara at
ang isang matamis na bukas...
October 13, 2014
I think the fact that it's based on Filipino culture helped me a lot to appreciate this book. I was a bit skeptical when a friend lent this to me especially because of the kind of books I love to read (I read a lot but I'm very selective). Anyway, it surprised me that I enjoyed reading it as much as I did maybe except the Prologue. My favorite character would have to be Dani although she broke mine and Alejandro's heart.
January 28, 2014
Rating: 3.5/5
July 1, 2018
"With a throwback to Manila in the ’70s and a free ticket to what it’s like to explore music, Gitarista by Reev Robledo is captivating and heart-tugging." Continue reading our review here.
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Please note: We don't use ratings but for this purpose, we tag books with three stars by default.
Would like to be a reviewer/contributor to Bookbed? Sign up here!
We also accept review requests. More info here.
February 26, 2016
Too bad I've lost my ebook copy of this novel, that's why I can't continue and finish Gitarista.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews