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This section contains several reviews and comments from music & entertainment related media and persons, which I received from diverse sources. It will also include the comments that you will gently send us by the CONTACT section.
Raimundo Rodulfo

CD REVIEWS

"If you are into classically-based progressive, this could be the album of the year!"
"New album from who is now Venezuela's top progressive musician. The music is grand in scale and very beautiful indeed, with loads of textures and moods."
Shroom Productions, USA

"If it was possible to combine the talents of some great musicians/composers such as Bach, Mozart, Ian Anderson, Steve Howe, Steve Hackett, Rick Wakeman (to name but a few) at the height of their creativity and produce a piece of music, then Venezuelan musician Raimundo Rodulfo's The Dreams Concerto would probably be the result."
"The Dreams Concerto must be at the top of the league. This must be the prog album of the year in its class especially as it is unique. In years to come, I've no doubt that the name Rodulfo will be up there with the other great composers and I mean great composers!"
Hairless Heart Herald, UK

"It's not everyday that you get to hear a recording that is just dripping with so much beauty that it almost brings tears to your eyes. This 'concerto' from musician Raimundo Rodulfo is a lush, gorgeous amalgam of progressive rock, South American classical motiffs, and folk, that succeeds on all fronts... This gets my highest rating possible."
Sea of Tranquility, USA
"The Dreams Concerto" is in Sea of Tranquility's Five Star Reviews selection.

"Few musicians there are today in the universe of progressive rock that are so ambitious and qualified like Raimundo Rodulfo. This Venezuelan guitarist and composer already had published an elaborate work with his debut work Dreams in the year 2000. And with this, his second studio album, he reached a notable degree of sophistication. The Dreams Concerto is surely one of the most intelligent works of the contemporary movement of progressive rock, taking to the limit the capacity of an artist. Wasn’t that exactly the purpose of progressive rock?"
Mellotron Magazine, Argentina

"A chamber orchestra, vocals, percussionists, and your basic prog-rock band elements are featured in very colorful arrangements"
"A real showpiece full to the brim with drama and energy, thanks to a bit of flamenco juxtaposed with the more baroque classical directions, not to mention some very Steve Howe-ish speed guitar by the composer"
Progression Magazine, USA

"A beautiful blend between progressive rock and classical music, with Hackett influences and links to EKSEPTION and KING CRIMSON and a Latin American touch. Highly recommended for symphonic progressive lovers!"
"A complex album from Venezuela, mixturing classical music, jazz, South American folk and rock with rich instrumentation. A lot of musicians playing cohesively but, even when music is essentially melodic, maybe this album needs more than one listening to fully enjoy it, due his complexity. A sort of a King Crimson, Vivaldi and a jazz band cross. Very interesting!"
ProgArchives, USA

"What a great record this is! We hear on this disc influences from almost all the great musicians on the planet that live and had lived. The classic masters Bach, Bethoven, Vivaldi and Mozart. The progressive rock masters Steve Howe, Keith Emerson, Rick Wakeman, Robert Fripp and Ian Anderson. The jazz-rock masters Chic Corea, John McLaughlin, Al DiMeola and Allan Holdsworth. The pop masters George Harrison, Paul McCartney and John Lennon. And the master of all kind of styles, Frank Zappa. Every time you listen to it you will hear new things. I almost would call it a musical journey into a fantasy dream world. Well done!"
Background Magazine, The Netherlands

"It is absolutely stunning. It is amazing and beautiful, encompassing varying moods, styles and colours… Rodulfo is a fantastic guitarist (rather, multi-instrumentalist), surrounded by equally talented folks on a variety of instruments. The Dreams Concerto is a thoroughly stunning and epic work that is a pleasure to listen to. Varied enough that you will discover something new upon each listen, but not so varied as to be disjoined - everything flows seamlessly together with a measured ebb and flow. Seek this one out."
Progressive World, USA
"The Dreams Concerto" is in Progressive World's April's Five Star Reviews for April 2003.

"A versatile and virtuoso Venezuelan artist. This cd is truly a wide kettle of the main progressive schools that the history of music has given to us, enriched by an unique latin taste, a superior guitar playing technique and an impressive intellectual approach to music from a sure well-informed musician. An excellent album from the point of view of the exhibited technical rate... A monumental and intellectually very ambitious album for listen with the ears well connected to the brain !!"
"A monumental and very ambitious cd that I recommend to everyone's looking for complex music played with heart and brain."
Tales of Wonder, Italy

"The Dreams Concerto, in 3 movements and 6 sections, is a living musical work and in continuous expansion, whose philosophy situates in the extension of all the traditional models that have been assimilated in the creative music during the last 4 decades. Yes, creative, since the progressive rock envelope is excessively narrow to harbor the enormity of this disc that sails among the intimate and the sophisticated of jazz, folk, rock and classics and that has been planned with most greatest care and to balance different common sense tempos and states of mind utilizing an extensive rank of harmonies and tones. A must have."
Margen Magazine, Spain

"This is one of the best discs produced in Latin America the last years. It is a master work by Venezuelan musician Raimundo Rodulfo. It is a disc that shows the greatness which can be obtained from the fusion between various musical genres, from classical music to rock and jazz. I sincerely hope to barely be close to this musical legacy by Raimundo, maybe my words are short but I sincerely recommend you to listen to this work."
Música Progresiva, Costa Rica

"A really well good album coming out in 2002, with lot of Classical elements, traditional Folk, in a prog format that I highly recommand. Excellent work..."
"Believe me this song ('Sueños') is one of the best progressive songs I never heard. Absolutly Superb !"
Proglands, Canada

"This album is something really special. Rodulfo mixes classical music with rock in a way I have not yet heard before, all sounding perfectly natural... For people with a classical music background, combined with a love for prog rock, I believe this album is essential..."
Dutch Progressive Rock Pages, The Netherlands
"The Dreams Concerto" is in DPRP Recommended selection.

"Venezuelan Raimundo Rodulfo is a highly-skilled guitarist, whether playing acoustic, classical, electric, or bass guitar or even mandolin."
"Highly recommended."
Kinesis, USA

"A disc that becomes part with full authority of the category 'irrenounceable'"
"Rodulfo, true virtuoso of guitar (and also of bass, I add) simply without to comply in accommodating and self-pleasing elucubrations, possess the innate gift of to charm the listener. The European public, mainly the Italian one, must not to ignore this Artist!"
Escursioni Musicali, Italy / Arlequins, Italy

"For those who like classical music as well as progressive rock, this might be a concept worthy of attention."
Axiom of Choice, The Netherlands

"Simply put, one of the most gorgeous pieces of symphonic rock to come along in recent memory... Highly recommended to symphonic fans who like lots of guitar and baroque influences. One of my favorites so far this year!"
"This disc has class."
Exposé Magazine, USA

"A really very beautiful CD that shines with much bright light between the productions that have come from South America in the last years. Recommended with the highest rating."
"A really very attractive disk in which the classic music is placed side by side or almost perfectly melted with progressive rock. The more classic parts, bytheway the best of the disk, bring again to mind sometimes Bach, sometimes Vivaldi, and some compositions for classic guitar and orchestra (the works of Rodrigo, for example), and are characterized for the absolute absence of drums or electric instruments and, on the contrary, by sumptuous acoustic arrangiamenti with strings, flute and classic guitar to weave continually the beautifulst melodies. In other moments, instead, with the arrival of drums and with Rodulfo who takes the electric guitar, we have a perfect merger between classic and modern music… Demand careful and participating listening to be deeply appreciated."
Eventyr Magazine, Italy

"'The Dreams Concerto' is an ambitious prime album from a very talented artist."
Colossus Magazine, Finland

"Symphonic progressive. Full of tremendous and beautiful parts. Especially the acoustic guitar parts are superb."
"Raimundo evolved a lot since his first album, and developed various of his ideas as if a dream came true. The compositions are much richer, arranged and performed... For various reasons very recommended. Both acoustic guitars as electric guitar playing / arrangements are splendid."
Psyche Van Het Folk, Belgium

"The use of several instruments besides the traditional rock instruments makes the sound very rich and much more interesting. It's a very good album."
Tombstone, Greece

"Raimundo Rodulfo reveals with 'The Dreams Concerto' his quality as composer, arrangeur and guitarist... An impressive work, which I can only recommend."
Ragazzi, Germany / Progressive Newsletter, Germany

"Sometimes I ask myself, where the people get again and again new ideas for music. In the case of RAIMUNDO RODULFO, Venezuela lodges a guitarist like the best. This versatility on his 'The Dreams Concerto' is already impressive."
Progressive Pages, Germany

"Beautiful stuff. Killer guitar plus sax, flute, harp, violin, plus lots more."
Of Sound Mind, USA

"A real classical-progressive work with strong Spanish connotations... Raimundo is an excellent guitarist, whether of classic or electric guitar. The music is crystal clear and pours as a waterfall into your wide opened ears. A very beautiful work. Doubtless."
SomethingProg, France

"The Dreams Concerto is a recommendable album in all its extension."
Newspaper Letras, Venezuela / noticierodigital.com, Venezuela

"' The Dreams Concerto' is a complex, but direct and charming album, rich in textures that evoke different sensations. Highly recommended for people of different tastes, above all for the lovers of musical fusion and quite elaborate and complete works."
Rock Total Magazine, Venezuela

"Raimundo Rodulfo announces the color and holds his word. After his first published album two years ago (Dreams - Sueños), here is what one could call his grand work... a facility of tempting listening and a cordial beauty."
Prog-Résiste Magazine, Belgium

"The music has a lot of variation and some great moments... The electric guitar solo in the end (1st Mov.) is great and is played with a lot of passion. It (3rd Mov.) includes fantastic work on classical guitar and it reminds me somehow of the classical album Anthony Phillips made together with Enrique Berro Gracia. But at the same time the high speed guitar playing reminds me of one of my guitar heroes; Al diMeola. There are beautiful parts with acoustic instruments like classical guitar, violins, flutes and harp. Also you can find some beautiful melodic guitar solos."
ProgVisions, Spain / The Netherlands

"An extremely ambitious production of an outstanding artist. One rarely gets such one perfectly thought out CD release, which musical contents and conceptual contents are in such a manner perfectly co-ordinated... It can reveal finely symphonic elegance in its fullest beauty."
Babyblaue, Germany

"Guitarist/Composer Raimundo Rodulfo brings symphonic/classic prog back into the new millennium with nods to the giants of the 70's while adding a latin flavor all it's own. Beautiful instrumentation can be found throughout especially in the guitar playing which goes from classical to flamenco to rock within a few moments."
ProgNaut, USA

"Many people with an interest in classical music, especially of the Baroque style, will get a lot out of this album. It is certainly well conceived and presented."
Classic Rock Society, UK

"This is the second by this excellent musician from Venezuela. Second achievement. The music is more symphonic (divided in 3 movements), featuring a wide range of instruments: sax, violin, flute, mandolin, harpsichord ... And of course great guitars (both acoustic and electric). On a whole, this production by the Latino Mike Oldfield should please to all adventurous ears."
Acid Dragon Magazine, France

"'The Dreams Concerto' (2001) is a magnificent fresco broken up into three long movements, for a total of almost 80 minutes. A multitude of performers, among whom one finds for example the singer Pedro CASTILLO, contribute to the richness of work."
Musea Records, France

"A musician that doesn't have anything to envy to bands that have found a good contract record. The technical style of Rodulfo betrays a visceral passion for neo-classicism, but the entire work is influenced by groups as Jethro Tull, Mike Oldfield and Genesis. A product to listen second to second, and with an amazing 36 pages booklet indeed beautiful. A cd simply unique."
MilleRecords, Italy / Tempi Duri, Italy

"The previous production is exceeded as much as possible. Full heart work."
Gardenshed, Japan

"A symphonic album of high level"
August Carol, Japan

"Contents have become well enough serious, featuring the classic & electric guitar which Raimundo Rodulfo plays as soloist, at the same time the classic guitar with the chamber orchestra, and the electric band which is playing in the back among different parts of the concerto. It makes enormously good..."
Gates of Dawn, Japan

"Rather than calling it the solo album of a guitarist, it sounds with the power of a real symphonic rock band"
"The music has a high degree of completion which makes you think of ESTRUCTURA from the same country"
Yahoo Auctions Japan

"Self-produced masterpiece, perhaps one of the best of 2002."
"A contemporary artist between the best and most brilliant ones in circulation."
"It's incredible how Rodulfo, in the middle of an ocean of style influences between which stand out primarily Steve Hackett and Steve Howe, Jethro Tull, Yes and a bite of jazzy tastes, succeeds to unite with a personal revisiting of the classic symphonies and baroque in latin key so much different instrumental sounds without being overwhelming and submerging the listeners without making them lose interest."
Movimenti Prog, Italy

"It alternates between rock parts, orchestra parts, and both in unision, and Rodulfo plays both electric and acoustic guitar with high technical skill. The opening is promising with the 24 minute long "Sueños", a symphonic cascade with exquisit interplay between Rodulfo¹s guitars, the band, orchestra and vocalists. It continues with great folk-prog parts lending an ear to both Tull and Focus."
Tarkus Magazine, Norway

"Excellent second CD of this Venezuelan project which played recently in BajaProg 2002. Digipack edition with book."
Rock Symphony, Brazil

"The Dreams Concerto is a work with a classical music concerto structure, and a chamber orchestra including progressive rock instruments, electric guitar, synthetizers, drums, bass, etc. It includes a female singer with a soprano style, although the vocals don't predominate in this work. I strongly recommend it. If you see it, don't hesitate to buy it."
"This second album of Raimundo is very good... This Dreams Concerto is an album even more academic than the first one, called Dreams, which obviously is the precursor of the sound of this excellent guitarist."
República Progresiva, Mexico

"They are still there: musicians with an unrestrained ambition and an identity between classical music and progressive rock. Venezuelan Raimundo Rodulfo is one of this kind, and after reading the thick booklet featured at this cd, you realize that the expectations become on high musical challenges. Expectations which are most fulfilled in the first part of "The Dreams Concerto", where are Sueños (Dreams) and the short Esperanza. Sueños is a 24-minutes lasting endless flow of superb musical ideas, where we are swung back and forth between traditional parts in which both the classic acoustic guitar and high-tone flute conduct, as well as parts in which Rodulfo's Hackettian/Oldfieldesque delay-crying electric guitar playing is accompanied and more than supported by a vast rock presence."
Progwereld, The Netherlands

"The Dreams Concerto is a fairly solid recent entry into the realm of South American progressive rock... The playing, particularly the guitar, is impressive throughout, with a clear nod in Fripp's general direction. Fans of modern symphonic rock or contemporary sounding South American prog who don't mind a rather bombastic, self-conscious classical angle will want to sit up and take notice of this recording..."
The Giant Progweed, USA

"Great stuff! Highly recommended to fans of vintage Steve Hackett and Italian progressive rock! Probably the best progressive rock CD to ever come out of Venezuela!"
"I bought your The Dreams Concerto some months ago and I really love it - it´s really a great album."
"Great booklet, with Peter's very beautiful paintings! But your CD has suprised me not only on the visual side. Till now I have listened to it only once, so my opinion can obviously be incomplete and imperfect; nevertheless I dare say you that your music is WONDERFUL: romantic, symphonic, latin prog rock full of good ideas and rich in creative moods. I really believe that Italians could like a lot your compositions, so it's important that in my country, too, prog fans know your CDs."
"I have listened to your CD more times, and I confirm you my first impression: your music is really great, very technical but also very emotional."
"I'm your fan now! You're a real great musician and I love "The Dreams Concerto"! It was a revelation to me!"
"I do not recover yet from the astonishment of such work (The Dreams Concerto). Incredible. From the book of presentation, really fabulous in concept and content, to the musical criterion and musical capacity it is a work as not very often I listened in my life. Sincerely. I admire very much the people like you who have ambitious ideas, and not only have them but make them real. And how! I personally enjoy very much the combination of classic/rock with 'real' instruments, that so rarely are used the last times, because of money or lack of ambition."
"I liked it much, is very well done in all the aspects: performing, composition, recording, art... It is quite ambitious, and without spirit to establish any comparison, I listen to reminiscences of some bands that I like much, among them Yes (by the Howe side), Mahavishnu Orchestra and Il Rovescio Della Medaglia. The disc has a lot of personality… I am sure that internationally it will have more repercussion than here."
"What so good is your new disc!!! Today I listened to it for the first time and I was listening to it three more times. A very deep, serious and enjoyable work. It is the type of work that whenever you hear it allows you to find something new on it. It is really the more interesting CD that I have listened to this year. Congratulations."
"Very interesting South American/world music with Spanish vocals and an orchestra."
"The truth, the simple idea by which this album was developed (the equations and all of that – and I study engineering) seemed brilliant to me. It is unquestionably, one of best discs of the year, even when this year promises a lot (Wakeman, Arena, Rush, etc.). A friend bought your album and he fell in love with your music, inclusively, his wife (whom does not like anything that has an electrical guitar included) loved it."
Comments from the Public

"From the lively 6/8 opener 'Laberinto' to the 21-minute, seven-part closing suite 'Códigos Universales' the CD offers some of the most exciting instrumental symphonic rock that I've heard in a long time... Very highly recommended."
Exposé Magazine, USA

"Highly recommended."
Kinesis, USA

"Another unknown heavy symphonic, concept album gem from Venezuela. This sounds very 70's, and has outstanding keyboards with flute... It is amazing where great stuff comes from sometimes!"
Shroom Productions, USA

"Here's the Latin American Steve Howe: the music on this CD is carried by his outstanding guitar play."
Background Magazine, The Netherlands

"There are musicians/composers that play like the Gods. The Venezuelan guitarist Raimundo Rodulfo is one of them and his first disc, Dreams, a marvelous rainbow of related tones that are accommodated in a ductile instrumental style and narrative that convinces since the first minute and doesn't decay in the long hour and seven compositions, included the suite Universal Codes in 7 parts and almost 22 minutes long."
Margen Magazine, Spain

"It is quite a gem if you are interested in calm, moody and semi-acoustic music. This must also be the reason that Musea Records has selected this album as their pick of the month January... It has all the quality to deserve a good marketing and distribution channel."
Dutch Progressive Rock Pages, The Netherlands

"If you liked Steve Howe's acoustic pieces on Fragile, then this might be something for you. The music has complexity, is often classically styled, but is also filled with various folk music influences."
Axiom of Choice, The Netherlands

"Here is a great little album that I came across recently which completely took me by surprise... Raimundo's music offers soft seductive acoustic Spanish guitar with some lovely symphonia. 'Dreams' is a delicate album which really does work like a dream with the flowing flute and soft drum and percussion. Raimundo's guitar work is the centre piece of this work with some amazing guitar fretting and phrasing."
Unger's Wonderful World of Progressive Rock, Canada

"A very good album, with very interesting guitars melodies and solos" "Raimundo is a very talented and excellent guitar player" "The songs are quite good and the music is very original, I recommend it to anybody"
"Raimundo Rodulfo from Venezuela is another gem worth listening to, Howe-PF alike, moody and well structured. Dreams is the album you should go for."
ProgArchives, USA

"If you want to listen to something different, interesting and made in Venezuela I recommend you a disc of Barquisimetan Raimundo Rodulfo, called 'Dreams'."
Pedro Castillo (Tempano), Venezuela

"Raimundo has fashioned a wonderful and varied CD of incredible playing... Great instrumental prowess with a wonderful band!"
Progressive Ears, USA

"Nice Italian style complex and dreamy prog from Venezuela."
Ultima Thule Records, UK

"Virtuoso Venezuelan guitarist with a great classical music school devoted to Symphonic Rock. Joined by many guest musicians his style reminds us in some aspects to Steve Hackett."
Viajero Inmovil, Argentina

"All the tracks are rather pleasant and not lacking of a certain originality, feature this last which finds the greatest expression in the fourth track, not randomly titled "Brainstorm", in which is gone with a certain effectiveness from fusion to reggae until arriving to jazz and blues, making seven minutes of the best progressive."
Eventyr Magazine, Italy

"A quality work that will surely please the Symphonic Progressive lovers."
Musical Box Magazine, Brazil

"Very good."
Progwalhalla, Holland

"Pupil: Finally, this is a must have, Sir? | Teacher: Yes, certainly!"
Acid Dragon Magazine, France

"This album can be recommended for the people who like jazz fusion and progressive music."
Colossus Magazine, Finland

"All in all this is a fantastic album. Very warm in both tone and style."
Progressive World, USA

"Symphonic progressive. Full of tremendous and beautiful parts. Especially the acoustic guitar parts are superb."
"A recommended CD if you like both symphonic and fusion guitar progressive music."
Psyche Van Het Folk, Belgium

"One disc intimate, personal and indoubtedly charming. One trip to a magical world, of great beauty."
Mellotron Magazine, Argentina

"The Venezuelan guitarist Raimundo RODULFO is the author of a pleasant strong instrumental album in solitary, entitled 'Suenos - Dreams'. The style developed by our man and his many guests can as well be brought closer to the electric flamenco as of Mike OLDFIELD even CAMEL. The six-strings take the leading part of course, in a style at the same time melodic and dishevelled. The jazz-rock or classic influences are perfectly assimilated, within an exotic and coloured musical vortex."
Musea Records, France
"Dreams" is in Musea's Selection of the Month for January 2001.

"Raimundo has his own vision, his own performing way and a frankly exquisite jazz sound. The compositions together form an all instrumental that one listens upper to down, from principle to end. It is that kind of discs that you enjoy, don't tire and always get you willing to listen to it again, full of those musical accents that charm us who enjoy the symphonic progressive and in which the guitar is given time to sing. Very recommendable."
La Corte Final, Mexico

"It traps us in a vortex of rhythms and sonorous experiences mixed with electronic and natural elements all they born in Raimundo's strings."
El Vigía de los Cielos, Chile

"Without any doubt a very interesting discovery, actually this disc forms part of the seleccion of the month of January of MUSEA record label. Raimundo Rodulfo is a great Venezuelan guitarist and aside a good composer. The coolness and the naturality of his compositions are two good attributions in this album."
"All the disc sounds very sincere, fresh, made with an enormous ilusion and this grants it a very special shine that obliges you to listen with care. All the notes, sometimes excessive, are very carefully since Raimundo Rodulfo is a true artisan as musician and composer."
Spanish Progressive Rock Page / La Caja de Música, Spain

"A great musical level, and all an explosion of creativity that foretell a major success. All the songs of the disc are excellent, there is no waste, each minute of recording was very well taken advantage of."
EscenaRock, Venezuela

"This weekend I´ve been listening twice to your Dreams album, and I must say it´s a very beautiful album."
"I recently came into the possession of 'Dreams' from a friend in France! I was totally blown away when I for the first time heard your guitar work! 'Brainstorm' is my favorite! I can listen to that scratched cd-record ten times a day, and it moves me in a different way every time."
"What a big piece of art is entering by my ear labyrinth!. I am delighted with your group’s music here in my office while working with the databases labyrinths, files and statistics. What a better companion to this than this musical delight that, listening to it for the first time already reminds me the parts of the concert even when I had never listened to them. The truth is that the melodies as well as the complex lines of instruments are sticky and they remain recorded in the mind of who sits to listen to your music once; or maybe they are so memorable that they are burdened in the entrails."
" I want to congratulate you for the work of the album Dreams (What a good stuff!!!!!) I am pleased to know that you are active and with so good style, of course for intelligent people, but really it is very good..."
"You really super-astonished me... I consider that your disc is of the best music than has been written in Venezuela; it combines complexity, melodies, many different instruments, a fabulous performing yours in electric and acoustic guitars, and a studio band that shows having felt deeply and done theirs the pieces. Congratulations and there it goes my wishes again so that you can continue creating as you have been doing it."
"I consider it one of the most important works in the symphonic-progressive genre of our country… A disc full of colors, not only for its artistic cover which by the way offers a special touch to this work, but by the diversity of sounds and styles fused in each track. Jazz, Folk, Rock'n’Roll, VENEZUELAN-ish (very important), Indian music, guitars sounds that remind us the great ones like Jhon McLaughlin (speed) and Steve Howe (technical and sounds)… In conclusion a very artisan work musically speaking, plenty of fantasy, imagination, feeling and music, main components of all our DREAMS."
Comments from the Public

RAIMUNDO RODULFO
To LIVE a Dream - Official Bootleg

"A disc that in the time to come will become a classic."
"A sample of the musical excellence that offers Raimundo Rodulfo and of the great representation that he did of our country in the famous Festival BajaProg."
Rock Hecho en Venezuela, Venezuela

"It's clear this group has such a fine tension... 'Suenos' goes beyond the craftsmanship's symphonic music early Genesis explored, with Latin American female voice, progressive rock guitar, etc. Beautiful."
Psyche Van Het Folk, Belgium

"It is full of life, textures and emotion. Guitar, Spanish and electric are outstanding and the flute and violin pieces are truly beautiful. Raimundo and his fellow musicians gel together coherently and still hang sufficiently ‘loose’ to create that edge."
Hairless Heart Herald, UK

"This live performance gives me the opportunity to confirm my very positive feedback I wrote about "The Dreams Concerto" album. Raimundo is an incredibly high-skilled musician able to pinch the chords of his guitar as few guitarist can do. He has a very classical background and a clever intellectual approach to music. Listening to his music is actually like "to live a dream", an intense and multicoloured dream, so well represented by Peter Rodulfo's paintings. My deep recommendations is to buy his two official albums and to start the download immediately afterward at www.RaimundoRodulfo.com"
Tales of Wonder, Italy

"Acoustic and electric guitar, keyboards, violin and flute draw a romantic and nevertheless strong progressive outline, which processes influences from the classical period, Venezuelan folklore and jazz. Just in the extended instrumental work, is recognized the parallel to the best time of Premiata Forneria Marconi... Impressive progressive rock in a much better than bootleg sound. Since Raimundo understands much about filigree music architecture, he will bring the PFM community to ecstasy."
Ragazzi, Germany

"Rodulfo is one of those musicians that use very diverse elements for a musical development that transcends the barriers of styles. Rodulfo is progressive without being endeavored to be it, without to enclose himself in the artificial limitations that some musicians impose to himself. I don't find any purpose in to resemble anybody and on the other hand I see a personal development, so much in his roles on the acoustic guitar and on the electric one. As a composer he takes charge of to make rock, baroque music, Venezuelan folk tradition and a jazzy ingredient visibly present in his work. The incorporation of flute, harp and violin besides the traditional rock instruments, is enricher of his work. I have got pleasantly impressed by this music."
Progresiva70s, Argentina

"This comes out at a great moment, it's an excellent idea to release a live CD only after two previous official releases, even if is not an official release. It's a real gift... The recording really is not so bad and give a great idea of what the band sound live. Also they are over an hour of free music here, so it worst to buy the previous one just to have this one, good chance."
ProgLands, Canada

"Congratulations for such a brilliant work that you have offered through your webpage, at this moment I am listening to it and I am completely sure that your performance at BajaProg was one of the best ones, as far as quality and musical innovation, that appeared in the festival. The best of everything is that it is a live work that shows differences respect to which it is heard in studio."
"That was a great idea. I'll be looking forward to the next album. Thanks from NYC!"
"Excellent shows, specially the performance of the suite 'Sueños'; on both bootlegs the result was spectacular... master works."
Comments from the Public

RAIMUNDO RODULFO
To LIVE a Dream 2 - Official Bootleg

"Italian Prog lovers and all fans of the romantic symphony genre will enjoy this work."
"The band plays warmly, the technical presentation of the performances is good. Raimundo Rodulfo composes heavy symphonic songs, which sound typically South American. Melodic weight and deep poetry are just as related to Italian Prog."
Ragazzi, Germany / Progressive Newsletter, Germany

"Great venezuelan musician... a tune with typical latin flavour... a clear influence from Steve Howe in some moments... very pleasant listening! The band that plays with him is really good!"
Melo's ProgBazaar, UK

"Excellent shows, specially the performance of the suite 'Sueños'; on both bootlegs the result was spectacular... master works."
Comments from the Public

Background Magazine - http://www.backgroundmagazine.nl - The Netherlands

-Issue # 74

Raimundo Rodulfo's Dreams
Here's the Latin American Steve Howe: the music on this CD is carried by his outstanding guitar play: an intro on the classical guitar for the track "Labyrinth", followed by fiery guitar (lots of solos) and some flute, sensitive (electric guitar) interplay with a violin in "Friendship", virtuous play on the acoustic (Martin?) guitar and mandolin in "New Horizons", a fine duel between the electric guitar and saxophone in "Brainstorm" and jazzy electric guitar on "Math & Arts" (with a great bombastic finale)... And the focal point remains the impressive Raimundo on several guitars. If he joins a band on his level we will certainly hear more from him!
Erik Neuteboom

-Issue # 80

Raimundo Rodulfo - The Dreams Concerto
As you may remember from my review of the Baja Prog Festival, I had major problems to stay awake during Raimundo Rodulfo's performance, because I was suffering form a jet-lag. I could hardly keep my eyes open. When I heard his second album, "The Dreams Concerto, Concerto for Guitar, Group And Chamber Orchestra", I had no trouble at all to stay awake. What a great record this is! In my live review I already told you that this man was a master on the guitar. My fellow reviewer Erik Neuteboom called him a "Latin American Steve Howe" in the review of his first album. What bigger compliment can you give a musician? You might call this complex piece of art a modern version of the old Deep Purple project "Concerto for Group and Orchestra" which Jon Lord composed back in 1969. Only this time it is much more than just classical music and rock music. We hear on this disc influences from almost all the great musicians on the planet that live and had lived. The classic masters Bach, Bethoven, Vivaldi and Mozart. The progressive rock masters Steve Howe, Keith Emerson, Rick Wakeman, Robert Fripp and Ian Anderson. The jazz-rock masters Chic Corea, John McLaughlin, Al DiMeola and Allan Holdsworth. The pop masters George Harrison, Paul McCartney and John Lennon. And the master of all kind of styles, Frank Zappa. So you can imagine what styles you all can hear on this record. I will not go into any details concerning the music on all of the tracks. That would take too much time and space, but the music is divided into three movements. They again are divided into different segments - all of them have different musical styles. We hear in every style the same kind of theme, but played differently. You will recognize it immediately, no matter in what style it is played in - classical, prog or jazz rock. All very cleverly done. Rodulfo is credited for all the music, concept and lyrics. He also produced, orchestrated and directed the whole thing. But we must not forget the great musicians that helped him to finish this complex project. All are introduced in the booklet. I won't mention all, but two of them are pretty amazing: Beatriz Rivas, the great female singer, and Andrés Briceño on his electric and acoustic drums. He can play all kind of styles, but the most enjoyable is probably the way he plays the jazz-rock themes. Bravo! I already mentioned the booklet. It is together with the cover very beautiful done. The cover is together with the other paintings in the 40 pages booklet done by Peter Rodulfo. Reminding me of Rubens, Breughel and Bosch. Inside the booklet you also get some inside information about every track and a personal note of Raimundo himself. As said before: all very tasteful done.The same I can say about the music. Every time you listen to it you will hear new things. I almost would call it a musical journey into a fantasy dream world.
Well done!
Henri Strik

Shroom Productions - www.shroomangel.com - USA

Raimundo Rodulfo - Dreams
Another unknown heavy symphonic, concept album gem from Venezuela. This sounds very 70's, and has outstanding keyboards with flute. The Cd is also enhanced and explains the concept, as well as giving you photos and extra artwork. It is amazing where great stuff comes from sometimes!

Raimundo Rodulfo - The Dreams Concerto
New album from who is now Venezuela's top progressive musician. This is a "Concerto for Group, Guitar, and Chamber Orchestra" The theme of this "concept" album is one of "The unswerving spirit of the human being and his endeavors to fulfill his dreams, and discern his surrounding universe". The music is grand in scale and very beautiful indeed, with loads of textures and moods. There are many top musicians helping out here, and many performances shine. If you are into classically-based progressive, this could be the album of the year! The packaging is also very beautiful, with a very huge booklet.
Greg Putman.

Hairless Heart Herald - www.hairlessheartherald.co.uk - UK

Raimundo Rodulfo's The Dreams Concerto
First impressions can have a lasting effect. Sometimes when I listen to an album for the first time it can be like a good book in that I don't want it to end. Some albums require a number of listens to fully appreciate, but The Dreams Concerto is an instant hit. At least it is for me.
If it was possible to combine the talents of some great musicians/composers such as Bach, Mozart, Ian Anderson, Steve Howe, Steve Hackett, Rick Wakeman (to name but a few) at the height of their creativity and produce a piece of music, then Venezuelan musician Raimundo Rodulfo's The Dreams Concerto would probably be the result.
A blend of classical and modern encompassing a lot of prog and a little jazz and folk, The Dreams Concerto is in three movements. The first movement, which runs at a little over 28 minutes, starts in chamber orchestra mode leading into a delicate acoustic guitar with female vocal piece before rocketing into a full blown prog epic along the lines of Jethro Tull's A Passion Play in feel with element of Hacketty guitar, Mel Collins sax and plenty more besides. Finishing with a short coda, the first movement just flies by. Pure brilliance!
The second movement, the shortest at just under 17 minutes, is very YES/Steve Howe in style leading into fusion merging YES with King Crimson with Gong and probably a lot more besides. Ingenious must be Raimundo's middle name. Yet he manages to incorporate a short baroque rock style theme that appeared in the first movement towards the end of the first half of this movement. The latter half of this movement introduces a Celtic rock style with ELP. There are constant time changes throughout this movement and Raimundo goes to great lengths to explain the mathematics behind it all using complex equations (well they are complex to me particularly as they are in Spanish) in the accompanying CD booklet that runs to many pages.
The third movement (33 minutes) starts with a combination of Spanish guitar and chamber orchestra, which has a very upmarket classical feel about it. A very reflective piece. The second part of this movement awakes with the chamber orchestra and guitar apace like something Gryphon or Sky may have thought up. Combinations of male and female vocals join in with good effect. The orchestration, which was prominent in the mix, suddenly seams to disappear for a period to allow the rock side of the arrangement to feature with guitar sound changing from that of Andy Latimer to Steve Hackett and then to Roine Stolt. The end of the movement revives the chamber orchestra with strains of Enid sounding guitar.
Whilst all three movements appear quite different, the theme from the first is evident in the last and for a short period touches on the second. Whilst the vocals are in Spanish, they are sung so sweetly that a non Spanish-speaking listener would find them of no distraction from this mainly instrumental work. The lyrics are printed in the CD booklet (again in Spanish) are about dreams, their power and the freedom they provide. The booklet also provides comprehensive information about the individual musicians that perform on the album (in both English and Spanish). Instead of a standard jewel case, the CD is contained inside the front cover of the booklet which in turn slides into a CD size cardboard container, all of which are covered with the wonderful artwork of Peter Rodulfo, a distant relative who now resides in England (check out his work via a link on Raimundo's website below).
When I spoke with Rick Wakeman he commented on the quality of music that was emanating from South America. Well, The Dreams Concerto must be at the top of the league. The combination of classical and progressive rock is seamless and should appeal to fans of either genre. This is nothing like a contrived 'Royal Philharmonic Play The Music Of (insert prog band name here)', nor is it an orchestra playing prog rock or a prog rock band playing classical - each instrument is allowed to play in its own style and consequently makes up the whole.
There are so many different style of prog it is impossible to say that this is 'the prog album of 2002'. However, this must be the prog album of the year in its class especially as it is unique. In years to come, I've no doubt that the name Rodulfo will be up there with the other great composers and I mean great composers!
Jem Jedrzejewski
(Thanks to Louise Jedrzejewski for the translation of the lyrics)

Raimundo Rodulfo - To LIVE a Dream (Official Bootleg)
Raimundo Rodulfo’s The Dreams Concerto was an instant hit with us here at HHH when we reviewed the album last year. Well, Raimundo has released a new live album cunningly titled To LIVE A Dream, an official bootleg which he has made available for download from www.RaimundoRodulfo.com free to those who have purchased both of Raimundo’s studio albums – you need the original CDs to gather the information for the password that allows the download. If you haven’t got both of these albums (and why not???) visit the site for details.
When we reviewed Raimundo Rodulfo’s second album, The Dreams Concerto, last year we were blown away by the rich tapestry of prog, jazz and folk encased in a modern classical frame.
To LIVE A Dream is a collection of solo, duo and band performances. Raimundo recorded these over the last three years, from gigs, festivals, and a TV show. As the recordings come from a variety of sources from video soundtrack to sound desk, the sound quality and mix is not always ideal so, instead of making this live album available for purchase, Raimundo has decided to offer it for download from his website for free to anyone who has purchased his two studio albums – but more about that later.
Now, I must state that I am not generally a fan of live albums for a couple of reasons; many sound ‘tinny’ and lack warmth, and the performances are often lacklustre. If you attend a concert, the atmosphere and, to some extent, the volume level can do much to turn a less than perfect performance and sound mix with all its hisses and pops into an entertaining evening but the magic is difficult to capture on a recording. There are exceptions, one being the band Camel who has somehow managed to capture the energy on more than one of their live albums, helped by the fact that they often rearrange the music for the live performance. I am pleased to say that Raimundo has, regardless of the sometimes less than perfect recordings, also managed to capture the energy of his performances for this album. It is interesting to note that he too adopts a free approach to the live arrangements – perhaps that is the secret!
I won’t go into length to describe the music (see The Dreams Concerto if you want to know more) other than to say it is full of life, textures and emotion. Guitar, Spanish and electric are outstanding and the flute and violin pieces are truly beautiful. Raimundo and his fellow musicians gel together coherently and still hang sufficiently ‘loose’ to create that edge.
To download the album (website link at bottom of this page) you will need a username and password. The username is ‘dreamer’ and the password is a 3 character alphanumeric string taken from the serial codes written in the inner ring of the disc silver surface of "Dreams" and "The Dreams Concerto" CDs. If you have both discs, take the CDs out of their cases/booklets, and look at the non-printed silver surface. Take the first 2 characters of the Dreams CD serial code, and then take the first character of The Dreams Concerto CD serial code to form the 3 characters password (use only upper case). The sound files for the album are fairly large so you may wish to consider getting a broadband connection too before you download! Included in the download files is the complete artwork for making up the jewel case inserts and CD label. And if you are going transfer the tracks once downloaded to CD, you’ll need an 80 minute CD Audio blank (CD Data discs will work on your PC but may not work in hi fi equipment). Yes, it requires a little time and trouble but it is ultimately worth it.
And if you haven’t got one or other of the studio CDs, there are some sound samples available for download from Raimundo’s website and purchase details.
Jem Jedrzejewski

Sea of Tranquility - www.seaoftranquility.org - USA

Raimundo Rodulfo's The Dreams Concerto.
It's not everyday that you get to hear a recording that is just dripping with so much beauty that it almost brings tears to your eyes. This "concerto" from musician Raimundo Rodulfo is a lush, gorgeous amalgam of progressive rock, South American classical motiffs, and folk, that succeeds on all fronts.
Broken down into three movements, The Dreams Concerto has huge sweeping melodies, punctuated quite liberally by Rodulfo's excellent acoustic and electric guitar work. The first 28-minute movement is perhaps the most striking and symphonic in nature, and no doubt will appeal the most to progressive rock listeners. Rodulfo's electric guitar playing is particularly riveting here (yes, the guy has chops aplenty!), and he is complemented by keyboards, harp, woodwinds, and violin. Perhaps the biggest contribution though is from female vocalist Beatriz Rivas, who has a stunning voice. Her range and tone adds a majestic quality to this awesome mixture of rock and baroque signatures. The piece ends with a lovely acoustic section that quiets things down a bit and allows you to get ready for the next part.
The second movement starts off with a very Gentle Giant sounding prog rock workout, with nimble guitar/keyboard lines and soaring violin. A jazz touch is added complements of Pablo Gil Rodulfo, whose screaming solo eventually gives way for brutal electric solos from Raimondo and violinist Cesar Romano. The guitarist then launches into a gripping electric jaunt, filled with echo and various effects, that really shows off his experimental rock side.
The final movement allows the guitarist to strut his skills on classical guitar, and the results are a thing of beauty. Surrounded by violins, flute, assorted percussion, clavier, and flugelhorn, this is baroque infused progressive folk at its finest. The full band kicks in for the grand finale, a wild mix of chamber and symphonic rock with the obvious classical overtones. See if you can hear some references to the band Kansas on this one, especially in the violin melodies.
This gets my highest rating possible. Filled with heartbreaking beauty and awesome technical musicianship, Raimundo Rodulfo has put together a wonderful extended piece of music that is never boring, and succumbs the listener effortlessly into all its worldly pleasures. Oh, and the packaging is just superb, filled with lots of live photos, notes on each track, musician listings, and fascinating paintings.
Added: January 6th 2003
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score: *****

ProgArchives - www.ProgArchives.com - USA

Raimundo Rodulfo's The Dreams Concerto
A beautiful blend between progressive rock and classical music, with Hackett influences and links to EKSEPTION and KING CRIMSON and a Latin American touch. Guitarist but also multi-instrumentalist RAIMUNDO RODULFO, sometimes referred as the South American Steve Howe, plays complex but melodic music, using different music styles like folk and jazz rock. Highly recommended for symphonic progressive lovers!
Claude

Raimundo Rodulfo's The Dreams Concerto
A complex album from Venezuela, mixturing classical music, jazz, South American folk and rock with rich instrumentation. A lot of musicians playing cohesively but, even when music is essentially melodic, maybe this album needs more than one listening to fully enjoy it, due his complexity. A sort of a King Crimson, Vivaldi and a jazz band cross. Very interesting!
Marcelo Olivera

Raimundo Rodulfo "Dreams"
This is a very good album, with very interesting guitars melodies and solos. In fact, I don't give it more stars because I think its saturated with the guitar. Don't get me wrong, Raimundo is a very talented and excellent guitar player but I think, this album should have a little more space for other instruments like the flute. Anyway, I think the songs are quite good and the music is very original, I recommend it to anybody (I've got it).
Carlos Ascanio

Raimundo Rodulfo from Venezuela is another gem worth listening to, Howe-PF alike, moody and well structured. Dreams is the album you should go for.
Lunar

Margen Magazine - www.margenmusic.com - Spain

-Issue # 22

RAIMUNDO RODULFO - Dreams /Sueños
Rock sinfo/progresivo con matices fusión y folk por este guitarrista/compositor venezolano. Magnífico!!!! CD multimedia que incluye un cuento en formato html y dos vídeos.
Hay músicos/compositores que tocan como los dioses. El guitarrista Venezolano Raimundo Rodulfo es uno de ellos y su primer disco, Sueños, un maravilloso crisol de sonoridades emparentadas que se acomodan en un estilo instrumental dúctil y narrativo que te convence desde el primer minuto y no decae en la hora larga y siete composiciones, incluida la suite Códigos Universales en 7 partes y casi 22 minutos de duración. Nueve músicos (guitarras, mandolina, bajo, flauta, violín, viola, teclados, saxo, batería...) dan vida a esta obra que dinamiza el genero progresivo gracias a un acertado uso de elementos importados de la fusión y el folk. Un soporte musical de suavidad aceitosa acoge y amalgama a la perfección diversos estilos y tímbricas para regalarnos un disco generalmente ensoñador de paisajes sinfónicos inéditos, aunque perfectamente vertebrado por matices y ataques rítmicos. Protagonismo guitarrístico que igualmente te suena a Howe como a McLaughlin. Innumerables referencias combinadas de modo personal... Yo de vosotros no perdía mas tiempo leyendo esto y me hacia con este CD Multimedia que incluye dos videos y un cuento en formato html.
Carlos Jauregui

-Issue # 25

RAIMUNDO RODULFO – The Dreams Concerto.
Lo nuevo de este multiinstrumentista venezolano acompañado de una docena de músicos. Gran formato para una música de variados aromas desde el rock progresivo hasta el jazz o el folk. Muy bueno.
De formato mucho más ambicioso que su trabajo anterior, Dreams, que recomendamos efusivamente desde estas páginas, nos llega el segundo trabajo del multiinstrumentista venezolano Raimundo Rodulfo acompañado aquí de un plantel de casi una docena de músicos a todo tipo de instrumental entre los que destacan Pedro Castillo (Témpano), la vocalista Beatriz Rivas o el batería Andrés Briceño.
The Dreams Concerto, en 3 movimientos y 6 secciones, es una obra de música viva y en continua expansión, cuya filosofía radica en la extensión de todos los modelos tradicionales que hemos ido asimilando en la música creativa durante las 4 últimas décadas. Sí, creativa, puesto que el embalaje rock progresivo es excesivamente estrecho para albergar la enormidad de este disco que navega entre lo íntimo y lo sofisticado del jazz, el folk, el rock y la clásica y que ha sido programado con sumo cuidado y sentido común para equilibrar diferentes tempos y estados anímicos utilizando un amplio rango de armónicos y tonalidades.
Desde Genesis a Metheny y en medio Yes, Congreso, King Crimson, The Enid...
Todo tipo de sonoridades perfectamente encadenadas que muestran la flexibilidad y energía de este compositor. Y por si faltaba algún detalle, un lujoso embalaje y un librillo explicativo. De obligada escucha.
Rafa Dorado

Gardenshed - www.gardenshedcd.com - Japan

RAIMUNDO RODULFO - THE DREAMS CONCERTO
New second work of South American Venezuelan guitarist. The previous production is exceeded as much as possible, with its became. Full heart work including a beautiful voice woman, many musical instrument such as flute, violin, horn and harp were introduced, classical color was added to the ensemble substantially, as a symphonic work. It seems like the masterpiece EN BUSCA DE UNA NUEVA FLOR of the same South American Cuban GRUPO SINTESIS, I think, delicacy that keeps putting the world together with classical arrangement. Book type special case edition.
www.gardenshedcd.com/best

Gates of Dawn - http://homepage2.nifty.com/gdawn/ - Japan

RAIMUNDO RODULFO - THE DREAMS CONCERTO
New work (year 2002) and 2nd album of the Venezuelan guitarist. It is released in a deluxe edition, with an almost 40 pages booklet. Contents have become well enough serious, featuring the classic & electric guitar which Raimundo Rodulfo plays as soloist, at the same time the classic guitar with the chamber orchestra, and the electric band which is playing in the back among different parts of the concerto. It makes enormously good, but it has a kind of air from the past. Track 1 is a great opening of woman vocals entering and twisting Latin winds. This tune has class.
Gates of Dawn

August Carol - http://fc2bbs.com/bbs?action=all&uid=31990 - Japan

RAIMUNDO RODULFO - THE DREAMS CONCERTO
Sueños (Dreams) was the first album of this guitarist who receives the alias of the "Latin Gordon Giltrap". His second album, The Dreams Concerto, features keyboard, violin, and introduces a woman on vocals and the guest participation of TEMPANO's singer. Everything very well built in a symphonic album of high level, improving from the first one. Also improving with the attached 40-page color booklet.
August Carol

Yahoo Auctions Japan - http://auctions.yahoo.co.jp - Japan

RAIMUNDO RODULFO - THE DREAMS CONCERTO
The second album of RAIMUNDO RODULFO from Venezuela. As per its content, rather than calling it the solo album of a guitarist, it sounds with the power of a real symphonic rock band, especially on the first movement which has lots of female vocals, and where the music has a high degree of completion which makes you think of ESTRUCTURA from the same country. Equipped with luxurious booklet this CD is difficult to find.
Yahoo Auctions Japan

Proglands - www.Proglands.com - Canada

Raimundo Rodulfo's The Dreams Concerto.
Hum ! That's a gem this one, an hystorical album for myself, with a 37 pages booklet in which it contain the CD right on the first inside centerfold page, the box is made from a soft cardboard an all are decorated with painting from Peter Rodulfo, I don't know if they are brother. The booklet is also pretty well documented, containing 10 pages only for the explanation of the Maths model of 'Mathematica y Arte II'. "It is rather the effect of my little orthodox, non-academic way of doing music, which is mainly by ear and heart" say Raymundo. I don't know in what consist the 1st project called 'Dream', but here, we are in front of an excellent Classical progressive concept album and for the first time Raimundo had incorporated "a traditional rock group" in his music.
In this album "I want to render tribute to the unswavering spirit of the human being in his endeavors to fullfill his dreams and discern his surrounding universe" say Raimundo. 15 years ago when Raimundo wrote his Suite for Guitar and Chamber orchestra, the first notes of 'The Dream Concerto' were borned and titled 'Baroque' as an hommage to his favorite period of music, this is mostly a 15 minutes of Classical acoustic music with guitar, flute, violin and viola. "Started to expand itself to a second suite" called 'La gran Epopeya de la Musica y las Ciencias' (The great Epic of Music and Science), togheter these 2 tracks complete the third movement" and simultaneously the album with a suite of 17 minutes for Electric guitar, Group and Chamber orchestra. A quite progressive ending.
The first song 'Suenos', "a sort of modern symphony...including a great deal of new elements... of contemporary music". A superb 24 minutes of pure progressive music devided in seven part with lot of Classical arrangements. Raimundo has a Classical background behind him and he used many other styles. The drumming of Andrès Briceno is absolutly superb at 3 time (2:14-3:00), (12:29-13:20), (21:56-. I try to do the beat with my two hand on my thighs, hum ! highly progressive beat! like the one I prefer. From the 10 others musicians, Beatriz Riva enhanced the music with her particular voices. 'Suenos' is both the longer song and the best one from the album. Believe me this song is one of the best progressive songs I never heard. Absolutly Superb ! The movement finish with the 4 minutes song 'Ezperanza' which is mostly a traditional folk song, because of "the melodic treatment dragged a trace of melancholy...I felt that would produced a final impression of sadness. I created a 'Coda'...with a essentially sense of hapiness, providing an optimist finale" to the movement. 'Esperanza', is a traditional song with Venezuelan's instrument like a the folk Harp and Maracas.
"The second movement was born in a completely different way...having...fascination for the science...my professional formation in engeneering has strengthened my contact with several branches of physics and mathematics. This radically changed my conception of the music...beginning to understand the links between maths and the different forms of art. The first attempt result in the song 'Matematica y Arte' from the album 'Dream', then I devellop a Mathematical model of timming for this project in a segment of the second movement of this work, which became the song 'Mathematica y Arte II'". This song is almost a fusion song, with a harder trend. 10 page show his maths model on the booklet with graphic, equation and explination, good chance! The song seems like normal ! so don't worry. The second part of the movement is an experiment with the Digital Signal Processing (DSP)... the random patterns and Fibonaci... applied to an electric guitar and to voice". The 2nd movement "abruptly breaks the predominance of the classic essence in the music of this work and insert experimental, electronic and fusion ingredients". 'Muestreo al Azar' is effectively starting with an electronic/experimental trends before moving into symphonic-rock and with a harder guitar sound pratically without Classic influences.
A really well good album coming out in 2002, with lot of Classical elements, traditional Folk, in a prog format that I highly recommand. Excellent work...
Denis Taillefer

Raimundo Rodulfo: To LIVE a Dream - Official Bootleg
This comes out at a great moment, it's an excellent idea to release a live CD only after two previous official releases, even if is not an official release. The CD is availaible only by internet and by the way under Mp3 format, it comes with the cover artworks at the size of a real CD. It is free by the way if you can get the password: so if you are already into the possession of the two previous recording, or if you buy them, 'Dreams' and 'The Dream Concerto' are also available in the Raimondo website. "I decided to don't issue it as a commercial CD, but as an official bootleg. And then I wondered: Why don't release it as a virtual album in the Internet? And actually, a downloadable CD, in both artwork and music" is available, say Raimondo. It's a real gift...
The music comes from the last three years of live performances in 3 different places and one song from a studio recording from 1986, it's a recording in solo on electric guitar of a piece from Bach called 'Bourre'. 'Duet' was recorded in duo with Manuel Rojas on flute during a TV Show. All the other songs were from two bigger show with the rock band togheter at the Baja prog Festival and a ProgJazz show. "The sound quality is not the greatest, but it is good enough to enjoy the music well. In those performances there are some fantastic moments that won't be repeated with special guest musicians and very inspired heart playing" say Raimondo. The recording really is not so bad and give a great idea of what the band sound live. Also they are over an hour of free music here, so it worst to buy the previous one just to have this one, good chance.
Denis Taillefer

Prog-Résiste Magazine - www.progresiste.com - Belgium

-Issue # 31

Raimundo Rodulfo: The Dreams Concerto.
French - English
Raimundo Rodulfo announce la couleur et tient parole. Après son premier album paru il y a deux ans (Dreams - Sueños), voici ce que l'on pourrait appeler son grand oeuvre, avec un concerto pour guitare, groupe et orchestre de chambre. Rien n'est fait à moitié: de la durée de l'oeuvre (qui équivaut à un double vinyle, au bas mot) à la grosseur du livret (40 pages, en couleur, explications, paroles, photos, biographie des musiciens et formules mathématiques à l'appui), jusqu'au boîtier cartonné et aux magnifiques peintures de Peter Rodulfo qui illustrent et jalonnent le concept.
Ce disque aura l'heur de plaire à un nombreux public, de mon avis. Aux amateurs de rock symphonique, bien sûr, car c'est le ciment de l'édifice. Mais ce gigantesque monument est, à l'instar de certaines constructions du passé, travaillé, peaufiné et inventé de telle manière qu'il s'y creusent des niches permettant à une multitude de styles de s'intercaler, rendant la visite guidée agréable et passionnante. Une grande place est dédiée au baroque classique, naviguant dans les eaux territoriales des quatours à cordes, agrémentés d'électricité et de rythmique dentellière.
La construction fut édifiée sous le soleil vénézuélien et il se dégage une chaleur latine bienvenue, particulièrement lors des interventions vocales illuminées de la jolie Beatriz Rivas. Cette chaleur transpire dans le jeu de guitare fluide et délié de Raimundo Rodulfo, qui se veut rond, enjôleur et caressant. Mais ces qualités ne suffiraient pas à soutenir notre attention une heure et quart durant, lors de cette visite et c'est pour cette raison que notre architecte a rajouté moult couloirs parallèles et autres labyrinthes, d'aucuns sont imbriqués dans le classicisme latent, d'autres sont présentés en une fourmilière complexe digne du meilleur jazz-rock (la partie centrale du bâtiment). De nombreux artisans ont contribué à l'élaboration de cette oeuvre, mettant leurs instruments variés au service du maître des travaux (qui est responsable de tous les instruments à cordes): basson, viole, violon, harpe, flûtes, saxophones, maracas et autres instruments électriques classiques.
Le tout a été construit et réfléchi, bâti avec sensibilité, mais avec une rigueur mathématique qui est expliquée par de nombreuses formules de progressions aritmétiques et géométriques, tendant à démontrer l'implication d'un modèle mathématique pour une construction musicale qui, au final, s'avère d'une facilité d'écoute séduisante et d'une beauté chaleureuse.
Gilles Arend

Automatic french - english translation.
Raimundo Rodulfo: The Dreams Concerto.
English - French
Raimundo Rodulfo announces the color and holds his word. After his first published album two years ago (Dreams - Sueños), here is what one could call his grand work, with a concerto for guitar, group and chamber orchestra. Nothing is half done: duration of the work (which is equivalent to a double vinyl, with the low word) with the size of the booklet (40 pages, color, explanations, texts, photographs, biography of the musicians and mathematical formulas for support), to the hard-bound case and splendid paintings of Peter Rodulfo, who illustrate and mark out the concept.
This disc will have the hor to like many public, in my opinion. With symphonic rock lovers, of course, because it is the cement of the building. But this gigantic monument is, following the example of certain constructions of the past, worked, polished and invented in such manner that it dig niches there allowing a multitude styles to intercalate itself, making the guided tour pleasant and enthralling. A great place is dedicated to the traditional baroque, sailing in territorial waters of the string quartets, decorated of electricity and rhythmic lacemakers.
The construction was built under the Venezuelan sun and it releases a welcome Latin heat, particularly at the time of the illuminated vocal interventions of pretty Beatriz Rivas. This heat perspires in the fluid and untied guitar playing of Raimundo Rodulfo, which wants to be round, enjolor and cherishing. But these qualities would not be enough to support our attention one hour and quarter during, at the time of this visit and for this reason our architect added grinds parallel corridors and other labyrinths, of aucuns that are overlapping in latent classicisme, others are presented in a complex anthill worthy of the best jazz-rock (the central part of the building). Many craftsmen contributed to the development of this work, putting their varied instruments at the service of the Master of work (who is responsible for all the string instruments): bassoon, viola, violin, harp, flutes, saxophones, maracas and other traditional electric instruments.
The whole was built and reflected, built with sensitivity, but with a mathematical rigour which is explained by many aritmetic formulas and geometrical progressions, tending to show the implication of a mathematical model for a musical construction which, finally, are proves of a facility of tempting listening and a cordial beauty.
Gilles Arend

Escursioni Musicali - http://francescofabbri.firenze.net - Italy
Arlequins - www.arlequins.net - Italy

Raimundo Rodulfo. The Dreams Concerto.
Italian - English
Ecco un disco che si inserisce a pieno diritto nella categoria "irrinunciabili". Raimundo Rodulfo, chitarrista e compositore venezuelano dal grande talento, con "The Dreams Concerto" è al secondo lavoro: l'opera si presenta intrigante fin dal bellissimo booklet, in cui sono riprodotti i variopinti quadri di Peter Rodulfo, quantomai in tema con la musica di Raimundo, che è puro prog al 100%, di quello sfavillante e indimenticabile!
La mezz'ora lungo la quale si distende il "First Movement" è davvero notevole: in "Sueños" i preziosi, delicati intrecci chitarra acustica/flauto si alternano a crescendo sinfonici da pelle d'oca, per un sound sempre caldo e melodicamente sopraffino. Chi ha già ascoltato gruppi come Iconoclasta e Via Lumini, ma soprattutto Sagrado e Quaterna Requiem, andrà a nozze con i sontuosi arrangiamenti di Rodulfo, molto ben elaborati. E non c'è dubbio che il feeling del CD sia assolutamente latino, tant'è che spesso tornano alla memoria anche bands nostrane quali Banco e Locanda Delle Fate; forse non è un caso, vista l'origine italiana della famiglia materna di Raimundo. Tornando alla suite, eccellenti sono pure le parti vocali femminili (in spagnolo), affidate a Beatriz Rivas; vivace è l'ultima parte strumentale, la folkish "Esperanza". Su basi differenti si muove il "Second Movement", per comporre il quale Rodulfo, che fra l'altro è ingegnere elettronico, si è servito di un complicato modello matematico di sua creazione, esaurientemente descritto nel libretto. Ciò resterà astruso per i più; nondimeno la musica che ne esce è affascinante, oscillando da trame Camel-canterburiane a passaggi maggiormente jazzy e avanguardistici. Largo spazio alla sezione ritmica e a strani effetti e filtri applicati alla chitarra, ora oldfieldiana, ora aggressivamente distorta: 17 minuti di geniale originalità. "Baroque", prima parte del "Third Movement", esplicita per contro fin dal titolo tutto l'amore che Rodulfo nutre per quello stile e per Vivaldi in particolare. Nei dialoghi fra chitarra classica e strumenti da camera l'energia è più contenuta che altrove, ma comunque non mancano buone soluzioni armoniche. La suite prosegue con "La Gran Epopeya de la Música y las Ciencias", sulla scia dei New Trolls di "Concerto Grosso" e del Rovescio della Medaglia di "Contaminazione": il connubio fra musica classica e rock è spumeggiante e non artificioso, proprio come nei capolavori del maestro Bacalov.
Dunque il buon Rodulfo, vero virtuoso della chitarra (e anche del basso, aggiungo) pur senza indulgere in compiaciute e masturbatorie elucubrazioni, possiede l'innato dono di rapire l'ascoltatore. Un sincero plauso a lui e allo stuolo di abili collaboratori di cui ha saputo circondarsi: tra flauto, sax, violini, tastiere e percussioni è davvero un bel sentire. Il pubblico europeo, in primis quello italiano, non può ignorare questo Artista!
Contatti: www.RaimundoRodulfo.com
Francesco Fabbri - luglio 2003

Italian-English translation:
Raimundo Rodulfo. The Dreams Concerto.
English - Italian
Here is a disc that becomes part with full authority of the category "irrenounceable". Raimundo Rodulfo, Venezuelan guitarist and composer of great talent, with "The Dreams Concerto" is at his second work. The work introduces intriguer due to the beautifulst booklet, in which the colorful pictures of Peter Rodulfo are reproduced, so related in topic with Raimundo's music, that is pure prog to 100%, of that sparkling and unforgettable one! The long half hour which stretches the "First Movement" is really remarkable: in "Sueños" the precious, delicate acoustic guitar and flute intertwins are alternated with a symphony in crescendo which gets a goose flesh, for an always warm and melodically excellent sound. Those who have already listened to groups like Iconoclasta and Via Lumini, but above all Sagrado and Quaterna Requiem, will go married with the sumptuous arrangements of Rodulfo, a lot quite elaborated. And there is no doubt that the feeling of the CD is absolutely Latin, so much that often return also to the memory local bands like Banco and Locanda Delle Fate; perhaps it's not a casualty, sight the Italian origin of the maternal family of Raimundo. Returning to the suite, it's excellent too the female vocal parts (in Spanish), entrusted to Beatriz Rivas; lively is the last instrumental part, the folkish "Esperanza". On different bases moves the "Second Movement", due to the composition which Rodulfo, who among other things is electronics engineer, has served of a complicated mathematical model for its creation, described in grand length in the booklet. This will stay abstruse for many people; nevertheless the music that goes out is fascinating, oscillating from Camel-Canterbury structures to mainly jazzy and avant-garde passages. Wide space is left to the rhythmic section and to strange effects and filters applied to the guitar, at times Oldfield-ish, at times aggressively distorted: 17 minutes of brilliant originality. "Baroque", first part of the "Third Movement", explicit title since it shows all the love that Rodulfo rise for that style and Vivaldi in particular. In the conversations between classic guitar and chamber instruments the energy is more contained than elsewhere, but however it doesn't lack of good harmonic solutions. The suite continues with " La Gran Epopeya de la Música y las Ciencias", with airs of New Trolls's "Concerto Grosso" and Rovescio della Medaglia's "Contaminazione": the marriage between classic music and rock is sparkling and not cunning, just as in the masterpieces of Maestro Bacalov. Therefore the good Rodulfo, true virtuoso of guitar (and also of bass, I add) simply without to comply in accommodating and self-pleasing elucubrations, possess the innate gift of to charm the listener. A sincere applause to him and the crowd of skillful collaborators of whom he knew how to surround himself: between flute, sax, violins, keyboards and percussions is indeed a beautiful feeling. The European public, mainly the Italian one, must not to ignore this Artist!
Contact: www.RaimundoRodulfo.com
Francesco Fabbri - July 2003

Tales of Wonder - http://web.tiscali.it/talesofwonder/ - Italy

Raimundo Rodulfo. The Dreams Concerto.
Italian - English
A monumental and very ambitious cd that I recommend to everyone's looking for complex music played with heart and brain.
Per molti di voi Raimundo Rodulfo potrebbe tranquillamente essere un attore di soap-opere sudamericane, belloccio e sempre pettinato in modo impeccabile. Invece è solo un ben pettinato ma poliedrico e virtuoso artista venezuelano tanto conosciuto in patria quanto sconosciuto all'estero, soprattutto in Europa.
"The Dreams Concerto" è un album composto, suonato e confezionato tutto in famiglia Rodulfo, potremmo dire. Infatti se le composizioni sono tutte di Raimundo, i quadri ed i disegni presenti nella bellissima confezione del cd (ben 37 pagine di booklet) sono opera del fratello Peter.
Il lungo cd è veramente un ricco calderone delle principali scuole progressive che la storia della musica ci ha regalato. Il tutto personalizzato dal gusto latino, dall' immensa tecnica chitarristica e dall'approccio intellettuale di un musicista certamente preparatissimo. Si passa con grande disinvoltura dal prog sinfonico e lineare al prog-jazz più tecnico ed improvvisato lambendo i territori art-rock. Ma non mancano neanche alcuni momenti di estrazione più classical-prog come nella prima parte del terzo movimento dove l'artista venezuelano ci delizia con delle evoluzioni di chitarra classica accompagnata da flauto, viole e violini. Il tutto corredato (nel booklet) dalla rappresentazione geometrica, con tanto di formule matematiche dettagliate, della musica contenuta nella ambiziosissima "Matematica Y Arte".
Un album eccellente dal punto di vista del tasso tecnico esibito, di fronte al quale si rimane annichiliti e che tuttavia per molti potrebbe dimostrarsi un polpettone in alcuni frangenti duro da digerire.
Un album monumentale ed intellettualmente molto ambizioso da ascoltare con le orecchie ben collegate al cervello !!
Luca Alberici

Italian to English translation
Raimundo Rodulfo. The Dreams Concerto.
English - Italian
A monumental and very ambitious cd that I recommend to everyone's looking for complex music played with heart and brain.
For many of you Raimundo Rodulfo could easyly be an actor of South American soap-operas, fairly good-looking and always combed in impeccable way. Instead he is not only well combed but a versatile and virtuoso Venezuelan artist, quite well known in his country but totally unknown outside, especially in Europe.
" The Dreams Concerto " is an album composed, played and packaged by Rodulfo family in its entirety, we could say. In fact, the compositions are all of Raimundo, and his brother Peter made the paintings that make the 37 pages booklet a small jewel of colours and contents.
This cd is truly a wide kettle of the main progressive schools that the history of music has given to us, enriched by an unique latin taste, a superior guitar playing technique and an impressive intellectual approach to music from a sure well-informed musician.
Here music passes with great sprightliness from the symphonic and linear prog to the more technician and improvised prog-jazz walking on the territories of art-rock. But it doesn't lack of some moments of more classical-prog extraction like in first part of the third movement where the Venezuelan artist delight us with the evolutions of classic guitar accompanied with flute, viola and violins. There is a full development (in the booklet) of the geometric representation, with a lot of mathematical formulas detailed, of contained music in the most ambitious " Matematica y Arte ".
An excellent album from the point of view of the exhibited technical rate, of forehead to which you remaine annihilated and that however for many people it could show itself in some parts a little hard to digest.
A monumental and intellectually very ambitious album for listen with the ears well connected to the brain !!
Luca Alberici

Raimundo Rodulfo. To LIVE a Dream - Oficial Bootleg.
Italian - English
Raimundo Rodulfo è un virtuoso della chitarra proveniente dal Venezuela che si sta pian piano imponendo alla ribalta della scena prog mondiale.
"To Live A Dream" è il suo primo album dal vivo, anche se in realtà è un bootleg ufficiale, scaricabile esclusivamente dal suo sito web; per avere accesso all'area protetta è necessario possedere i suoi primi due album e da questi ottenere la password di accesso.
L'ascolto di questo live, la cui registrazione in verità è lontana da una qualità eccellente, mi da l'opportunità di confermare quanto di positivo scrissi sulla sua ultima fatica ufficiale "The Dreams Concerto": Raimundo è un musicista incredibilmente tecnico, che sa pizzicare le corde ed usare gli armonici come pochi ma che sa anche "abbassarsi" e mettersi al servizio di una maggiore accessibilità.
La sua musica è come il petrolio venezuelano: è abbondante (beati loro), ti contagia a macchia d'olio e qundo si infiamma ti riscalda al punto giusto. Vi sono chiare influenze progressive, quelle più classiche e sinfoniche (alla Jethro Tull e Curved Air ) grazie all'uso molto frequente di strumenti quali violino, viole e flauti; ma non vengono disdegnati ripetuti sconfinamenti verso il folk di matrice sudamericana, cioè molto allegro e ritmato come da tradizione.
Ascoltare la sua musica è proprio come vivere un sogno colorato, molto simile alle rappresentazioni pittoriche del fratello Peter che puntualmente fanno da corredo ai cd di Raimundo.
Vi consiglio di procurarvi i 2 album che ho menzionato e di iniziare subito dopo il download di questo concerto. Il sito lo trovate all'indirizzo www.RaimundoRodulfo.com
Luca Alberici

Italian to English translation
Raimundo Rodulfo. To LIVE a Dream - Oficial Bootleg.
English - Italian
Raimundo Rodulfo is a virtouso guitarist coming from Venezuela, whose popularity is slowly growing up in the classical progressive scene. "To Live A Dream" is his first live album, even if it's only an official bootleg downloadable exclusively from Raimundo's website; you can enter the protected area only if you have his previous two albums which you take the password from.
Althought the recording quality is not so high and clear, this live performance gives me the opportunity to confirm my very positiv