What are five classically trained musicians from South America doing in Germany when they are not on the opera stage or sitting on the concert podium?
What are five classically trained musicians from South America doing in Germany when they are not on the opera stage or sitting on the concert podium? Well, music from the sounds and melodies of their homeland! In 2015, the five gentlemen from “Los Pitutos” found each other in Berlin. First planned as a purely acoustic project, electric instruments were quickly added – bassist Tomas simply didn’t want to drag a double bass around.
The four Chileans and one Colombian are now orienting themselves towards the sound of the 70s, adding more and more pop and funk elements to their own compositions. All ensemble members play several instruments and sing.
“In Chile, almost everyone plays the guitar – that’s the way it is in our culture,” explains Raphael Donoso, who has a permanent position as a classical tenor at the Leipzig Opera. “Making music doesn’t mean playing perfectly. Perfection doesn’t exist in music anyway. Making music means playing together – and opening up.”
Raphael Donoso, Los Pitutos “Los Pitutos” is an absolute heart project for everyone. Here the five musicians can let off steam musically, which is often not possible in the still strict classical music scene. Their romantic-rhythmic boleros and cumbias (dance from Colombia) have great catchy tune potential, they are danceable anyway.
“When we make music, we always do it with a lot of heart – that’s our source of energy,” says Raphael Donoso – and you can hear it in every note.
LOS PITUTOS:
Raphael Donoso (piano, vocals and guitar)
Matias Pineira (horn, trumpet, vocals and composition)
Pablo Camus (guitar and vocals)
Tomas Peralta (double bass and vocals)
Christian Betancourt (percussion and vocals)
Akemi Murakami (piano)
Paolo Trojan (piano)