Argentinian Musical Ensemble (EMA)
What is E.M.A.?
Maestro Ricardo Francia has created this musical ensemble in order to perform international folk music including Argentine tango.
E.M.A., as well as traditional string orchestras (chamber orchestras), consists of violins, violas, cellos and a double bass. Along with this ensemble are included a dancing couple and two singers: a total of fifteen members.
Why?
Maestro Francia says: "For over fifty years during my professional career, I have dealt with not only Argentine but also international music, as a cellist, conductor, arranger and teacher.
However, there was a need for a well-prepared group which could properly interpret folk music along with singing and dancing from all times and styles, especially Argentine tango. So that's the reason for E.M.A. Chamber Orchestra which carefully embraces an international repertoire that will delight any audience with different tastes and criteria. That's right, E.M.A. gives us, during an approximately 75-minute concert, melodies, songs and dancing of all ages worldwide."
On occasion and depending on the demand, E.M.A. will include guest musicians and soloists such as: flautists, oboists, clarinettists, pianists, saxophonists, bandoneon players, percussionists and so on.
Ricardo R. Francia
He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He graduated from Manuel de Falla Conservatory of Music. He took cello classes from professor Ernesto Cobelli. Studied music harmony and counterpoint with professor Athos Palma.
In 1961 he is hired for a recording session with Maestro Francisco Canaro who happened to be at the time in Tokio with his orchestra.
In 1959, Ricardo Francia obtains a post as cellist as well as music arranger with Tokio Yomiuri Orchestra, where he stays for ten years.
In 1952 he wins a cello contest to become a member of Orquesta Sinfonica Juvenil which at the time is conducted by Maestro Luis Gianneo. At the same time, Ricardo Francia is a member of Cuarteto de Cuerdas del Conservatorio de Santa Cecilia. Later on that year he becomes well acquainted with tango music and so he is hired as a cellist by Maestro Emilio Orlando’s Orchestra, and successively by other orchestras with Maestros Jorge Fernandez, Florindo Sassone, Carlos García, Angel D’Agostino, Miguel Caló, Osvaldo Fresedo, Roberto Caló and Enrique Mario Francini.
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| Ricardo Francia, Pedro Laurenz, Ubaldo De Lío, Horacio Salgan, The Princess of Japan, Suga (Takako) (清宮貴子 Suga-no-miya Takako, born March 3rd 1939) her fiance Shimazu Hisanaga, Enrique Mario Francini, López Colombres (Argentinian Embassy's Secretary) and Omar Murtagh. |
In 1961 he is hired for a recording session with Maestro Francisco Canaro who happened to be at the time in Tokio with his orchestra.
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| With Atahualpa Yupanqui in Japan. |
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| With Pablo Casals in Tokio. |
Settled in Tokio, Ricardo Francia creates his own Tango Orchestra where all the musicians are originally from Japan except for Argentinian bandoneonist Fernando Tell.
In 1970, Ricardo Francia returns to his hometown Buenos Aires in order to become a member of Sexteto Francini 70, precisely with Maestro Enrique Francini and Maestros Nestor Marconi, Juan José Paz, Omar Murtagh and Romano Di Paolo.
Francia is also hired to play cello with Orquesta Sinfónica del Festival Teatro Colón, then as a soloist with Orquesta Sinfónica de la ciudad de Corrientes where he later teaches at Instituto Superior de Música de Corrientes.
In 1974, he is hired as violoncello soloist with Orquesta Sinfónica del Paraguay as well as with Orquesta de Cámara del Paraguay. Two years later, he wins a contest for substitute soloist with Orquesta Sinfónica de Rosario, Argentina. There, along with some fellow musicians he founds Quinteto Argentino de Arcos.
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| In 1976 with Quinteto Argentino de Arcos. |
In 1988 he is hired by CBC Japan Radio & TV to conduct Orquesta Simbolo Francisco Canaro.
The following year, CBC Nagoya hires him to perform with his ensemble Quinteto Argentino de Arcos.
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| Quinteto Argentino de Arcos in Japan (1989). |
In 1994, CBC Japan Radio & TV hires him again along with his ensemble Quinteto Argentino de Cuerdas
Ricardo Francia currently does freelance work teaching violoncello and orquestra instrumentation for Escuela de Musica SADEM.