Fallas 2014 - Sexta de Abono

The view from the sofa - my thoughts on corridas I have watched on TV

14/03/14 Jandilla & Vegahermosa Toros – El Cid, Manuel Escribano & Iván Fandiño

This cartel congregated a curious blend of toreros. El Cid, a serious veteran, and Iván Fandiño, a serious rising star, both share the same taurine aesthetic tradition, although they belong to different generations. Manuel Escribano, meanwhile, is an entirely different type of torero, a varied and spectacular torero, he bases his tauromaquia on displays of valour, delivered with a smile. His is taurine bravery’s cheerful face, a young Juan José Padilla if you will.

The lidia to El Cid’s first bull was a virtual non-entity. The bull displayed symptoms of difficulty in the first two tercios. However, it possessed a certain nerve in its charge that allowed El Cid  to execute a couple  of very clean and well-timed series en redondo with the right hand, each capped with an admirable chest pass. That was it though. By the third series it once again showed its problems, heading for the man rather than the lure, and the fourth series was impossible as, by this point, it had become completely rajado.

Bravery’s cheerful face headed to the puerta de chiqueros to receive the afternoon’s second bull. He welcomed it into the arena with a larga cambiada de rodillas and some well executed veronicas, concluded with a very slow media on his knees. Escribano’s interventions with the capote continued into the pics tercio, with a jovial galleo by chcuelinas and a colourful (although not altogether clean) quite by saltilleras. Fandiño also contributed to the spectacle with a good quite by tafalleras. The merriment was maintained during the tercio de banderillas (the highlight of which was a quiebro close to the boards) and continued into the muleta with Escribano commencing the faena on his knees in the centre of the ring. The kneeling derechazos were well timed, and got the crowd on its feet. The fundamental toreo that followed was pleasing, and executed with a slowness and timing that one might not readily associate with a cheery tremendista. As the bull’s charge lost vigour, Escribano resorted to circulares, and the faena concluded with a series of manoletinas. A well-executed estocada yielded an ear. It had been a complete performance from Escribano, he kept the crowd’s attention throughout, from the opening larga cambiada, through the quites and banderillas, concluding with the faena de muleta and estocada – it was lidia total, Paquirri would have been proud.

Fandiño greeted his first bull with some veronicas on his knees, these served to focus the public’s attention, but the really moving part of his recibo was once he got on his feet and performed a set of low, slow and profound veronicas. Something similar happened at the beginning of his faena de muelta, the opening estatuarios were good, but not moving. Fandiño noted this and completed the introductory portion of the fanea with trincherazos and passes del desdén; these were moving and profound. The faena itself was an excellent example of fundamental toreo with both left and right hands. Relaxed derechazos were interspersed with silky naturales; each pass characterised by the length, low execution and good timing. The Jandilla was a very good bull, which had the good fortune of meeting a very good torero. A pinchazo preceded an excellent estocada, the crowd petitioned for an ear that was duly granted; the pinchazo might have prevented him cutting a second.       

The fourth bull was marked by the dramatic voltereta suffered by El Cid as he performed al natural, the bull had El Cid at his mercy, but the torero from Salteras miraculously escaped unscathed. Before that, El Cid commenced his faena like in his best years, citing the bull from the boards in the centre of the ring, and beginning toreo en redondo without any preparation. The first two series of derechazos were good, cleanly executed, but perhaps a fraction fast. However, unfortunately for El Cid, this bull, like his first, only lasted two series. Its once long charge had shortened markedly and any toreo was impossible. After the tossing, El Cid tried an arrimón, if only to show his dominance over the bull. It had been a serious performance from a serious torero. Despite the pincahzo, the generous Valencia crowd petitioned for an ear that was not granted, notwithstanding El Cid gave a hard earned vuelta al ruedo. I would also like to note Alcalareño’s excellent tercio de banderillas, I always enjoy this banderillero’s powerful, rangy style, and it was pleasing to see him invited to saludar after his performance.  

Escribano once again headed to the puerta de chiqueros for the fifth bull and gave a clean, but sterile, larga cambiada de rodillas, which was followed by slow veronicas – it was good to see Escribano torear slowly when the circumstances demanded it. Fandiño performed another quite by tafalleras, wherein the bull showed a tendency to cut in towards the torero’s body. Escribano’s banderillas were executed with ease, but, aside from the violin al quiebro to close, lacked an edge of emotion. By the muleta, the bull’s charge had lost all vitality, and despite Escribano’s desire, there was no possibility for a faena of note. My only criticism would be that it was clear from an early stage that the bull had lost its charge,  the faena was needlessly extended.

The lidia to the sixth bull was conducted to thesound of a jeering protesting the bull’s presence (it was the sobrero, the title bull having been rejected because of weak legs). The crowd was no doubt sensing the anticlimactic nature of an afternoon that, at the half way point, promised a great deal. Fandiño’s dedication to the crowd received a mixed reaction, but a spectacular commencement by several consecutive passes cambiados managed to get everyone on board for the faena. The opening series en redondo were marvellous, long and well-timed derechazos that transmitted emotion partly because of their execution, and partly because of the bull’s vigorous charge. As the vitality of the bull’s charge declined so did the intensity of the toreo en redondo, although there was still time for a wonderful trincherazo with the left hand. The molinetes to finish were more exciting than profound, while a concert of pinchazos to kill the bull prevented Fandiño from receiving another ear (which, in any event, would have been less merited than the other two cut this afternoon).  

Fallas 2014 - Quinta de Abono

The view from the sofa - my thoughts on corridas I have watched on TV

13/03/2014 Fuente Ymbro Toros – Antonio Ferrera, Joselito Adame & Jiménez Fortes

Today began the week long sequence of uninterrupted corridas de toros at Las Fallas. For the occasion, a string of the always interesting Fuente Ymbro bulls awaited Antonio Ferrera (who performed only five days after suffering a serious goring in Olivenza), Joselito Adame and Jiménez Fortes. The principal negative note at the paseillo was the bare appearance of the tendidos; I fully understand that going to the bulls for nine consecutive days requires a great deal of effort, and a not insignificant economic outlay. Its therefore logical that the public flock to the, a priori, more interesting carteles featuring the figuras, however, the fiesta must find a way to ensure that the types of carteles offered today congregate more than a small fraction of the plaza’s capacity (I appreciate the irony that I am writing this from my desk after watching the corrida on TV, but, unless anyone can find it in their heart or pocket to give me a full time job writing about toros, I am unfortunately confined to watching corridas from a distance).

Those that stayed away missed Jiménez Fortes’ triumphant performance. Fortes bases his tauromaquia on utter stillness and passing the bull as closely as possible to his own body – you never know how much control he has over the bull, but his toreo is exciting. He showed this concept from his very first intervention in the corrida, a quite of three isolated but chilling chicuelinas that conveyed emotion through the proximity of horn to thigh rather than through their aesthetic.

He cut an ear from his first bull, despite the two descabellos needed to finish the bull. Although this is testament to the generosity of the Valencia crowd, the faena itself was rousing and would have merited an ear had the kill been cleaner. Fortes began the faena by estatuarios in the centre of the ring. I would have preferred a beginning that exerted dominance and control over the bull, but I cannot deny that this start was rousing. He tried to continue with toreo fundamental in the centre of the ring, but the bull was quickly rajado and headed to tablas. Given the manso condition of the bull, series en redondo were impossible, but Fortes managed to execute some pleasing figure of eight toreo, turning into ojedimso, and finished his work with some frightening bernadinas.  

Fortes' faena to the final bull of the afternoon showcased a completely different side to his tauromaquia. If his opening performance had been characterised by a bravery that bordered on tremendismo, the final lidia was marked by the slowness of his toreo. It began with the cape, a series of slow, low veronicas seemed at odds with the style of chicuelinas he gave to the first bull. By the tercio de muleta, the bull had developed a prompt and frank gallop that underscored its noble charge. Fortes soon noted these qualities and cited the bull from distance for the first series of derechazos - the soft touch of Fortes' muleta were exactly what the bull required. This was toreo en redondo of excellent quality. Although by the time he took the left hand, the bull's initial vigour had declined, the toreo remained of high quality. The silky smooth naturales were beautiful and perhaps the highlight of the faena. Fortes concluded with some circulares that were marked by temple rather than closeness. A good estocada put the oreja in his hand and gave him the puerta grande.

The corrida had opened with the worst bull of the string, a striking looking fiery brown bull that was weak and had an informal charge. Ferrera was in control of the lidia at every stage, and even managed an acceptable tercio de banderillas, despite his recent injury, but a pleasing spectacle was impossible given the animal’s condition.

Fortunately, Ferrera was able to express his toreo with the noble and sweet charging bull run fourth. I would not usually think that this type of bull would suit the generally cyclonic and thrilling Ferrera. However, he was able to perform very well timed toreo fundamental that was charged with emotion. Ferrera was slower than on most occasions, and the derechazos flowed with ease. When he took the muleta in the left hand, he was able to torear with repose and the curved naturales were an utter delight. Although it is hard to tell from home, the crowd seemed somewhat cold with Ferrera, and an unfortunate metisaca prevented any notion of an ear.

Ferrera was also very active in quites, intervening in his own bulls, and taking the opportunity to perform artistic quites during his companions lidias. As an interesting point, rather than taking the bull to the centre of the ring with two or three capotazos he would begin the quite from under the horse. Although it was not a hark back to the origin of the quite as a way of taking the bull away from the fallen picador, as the commentators would have us believe, it was a curious tweak on the usual execution of the suerte.    

Adame’s first bull had a wonderful right horn, and Joselito executed some pleasing and correct series of derechazos – the result was emotive, but his toreo was not emphatic enough to do justice to the quality of the bull. Al natural, Adame managed to readjust his footing between each pass in order to properly link the series. The bull was still vivacious when it came to the estocada, so Adame opted for a judicious and well-executed macheteo to prepare the bull for the sword thrust. The faena was enjoyable, clean and correct, but it lacked a layer of quality that the bull deserved; perhaps a better structure would have emphasised the positives and taken the faena to a crescendo.    

One of the highlights of Adame’s performance was a colourful and well executed quite by lopecinas to his second bull. A varied quite that reflect his Mexican roots, and timely reminder of the creativity on which this torero has based his tauromaquia. The faena began promisingly with some ayudados por alto executed while sitting on the tablas (I never usually like this suerte, but it worked on this occasion) followed by a superb pase del desdén. Unfortunately the bull developed a clumsy charge that Adam was never really able to control with his toreo en  redondo and the faena dissipated into nothing.    

Fallas 2014 - Cuarta de Abono

The view from the sofa - my thoughts on corridas I have watched on TV

12/03/2014 El Parralejo Novillos – Román, Francisco José Espada & José Garrido

This corrida brought to a close a week where I have been lucky enough to watch four novilladas – a useful snapshot of the novice landscape at the start of the season. I am happy to write that there is a promising set of novilleros ready to take to the sand during 2014. We can only hope that the crisis ridden fiesta gives them the opportunity to torear and develop into successful toreros.

I greatly enjoyed José Garrido’s performance in Olivenza last week, although his triumph on Friday was subsequently overshadowed by Ginés Marín and Luis Manuel Terrón’s brilliant performances on Sunday. Thankfully, we were once again able to enjoy Garrido’s best toreo this afternoon in Valencia. The lidia to his first novillo was marked by the excellent tercio de quites he shared with Román; athough Román performed the more varied quites, Garrido was firmer and more profound. He opened his faena with a spectacular series of derechazos en redondo on his knees. Once on his Garrido exploited the bull’s brave charge with some profound series en redondo. The overarching concept was clean execution, long passes and low hands – an infallible combination. The novillo soon faded, no doubt suffering the effect of the four quites, but a solid sword thrust gave Garrido the ear that his faena richly deserved.

The faena to his second novillo was the highlight of the afternoon. A wonderful sweet charging animal, it found the silk touch it needed in Garrido’s capote and muleta. The substance of the faena revolved around four wonderfully relaxed, cleanly timed series of derechazos. His natural, understated elegance underscored his work; it was a true pleasure to watch. As the faena advanced he took the left hand, and maintained the high level of toreo. There was no need for pyrotechnics to conclude, no manoletina or arrimón to ignite the crowd, just a series of natural and reverse passes (executed with natural grace) to prepare the novillo for the estocada.

The afternoon’s other triumphant torero was Francisco José Espada, he cut an ear off the excellent fifth novillo of the afternoon. As is logical given his inexperience, Espada, was not able to match the novillo’s excellent charge. His derechazos were acceptable, cleanly executed, but lacked emotion – meanwhile, the novillo was charging with verve and haciendo el avión. As the novillo slowed, Espada shifted to the left horn, extracting some further acceptable naturales. The faena itself was well structured inasmuch as it reached a crescendo with a beautifully executed finale of figure of eight toreo (this type of conclusion is oft abused, and when given for its own sake can seem redundant, but when well performed, as on this occasion, it can be a fitting conclusion). A pinchazo preceding the estocada did not prevent him from cutting an ear.

Espada’s first novillo had a clumsy charge that conveyed absolutely no emotion. His faena was firm, and his desire to please cannot be doubted, but, because of the animal’s poor charge, the faena lacked any feeling.   

The opening novillero of the afternoon, Román, is due to take the alternativa in Nimes’ spring feria. His opening novillo was weak, but noble, with tendencies towards manso. Its charge was buoyant and long (paradoxically, the novillos mansedumbre gave it an extra few stes at the end of the charge as it sought to escape the lure) allowing Román to construct his faena principally around five series en redondo, alternating between the right and left hand. The series with the right were better formed, and structured towards a crescendo, while the left hand passes, although excellent on occasion, were marred by enganchones. The attempted poncinas to conclude were well intentioned, but lacked a clean execution. It was an acceptable faena, but suffered the weak series with the left hand – given his upcoming alternativa, one might have expected a more emphatic performance with this type of novillo.

Román seemed more focussed on his second novillo, greeting it with an electric larga de rodillas. He started his faena with well executed estatuarios, which were followed by a couple of very good series of derechazos – the bull was charging with vigour and it was met by low, long, timed derechazos. On this occasion, Román’s left hand was as good as his right and the vuelos of the muleta danced as the stroked the bull’s charge. Román’s toreo was punishing and once the bull’s vitality was drained, he resorted to the figure of eight circulares that form the unnecessary coda to so many faenas in the twenty-first century. An insufficient media estocada prevented him from obtaining the ear that was probably heading his way.

At the conclusion of the novillada I was happy that José Garrido reaffirmed the good impression he had caused in Olivenza, he will certainly be a novillero to follow in 2014. It was, however, disappointing that Román, at this stage of his career, was not able to further exploit the charges offered by his novillos. Espada showed his technical understanding of toreo, whether he can develop into a finished product remains to be seen.

Fallas 2014 - Tercera de Abono

The view from the sofa - my thoughts on corridas I have watched on TV

11/03/2014 El Torreón Novillos – Posada de Maravillas, Alvaro Lorenzo and Cristian Climent

March is always a happy time, the longer evenings serves as a reminder that the worst of winter is behind us, and, more importantly for the aficionado, the ferias of Olivenza and Valencia are a sure sign that the bullfighting season is underway. After an excellent couple of novilladas from Olivenza at the weekend, this afternoon’s novillada was another good opportunity to get acquainted with the junior escalafón. The novilleros had before them a string of El Torreón animals that were well presented but on the borderline where nobleza turns sickly, and not blessed with excessive energy. However, most had enough mobility to allow for an interesting afternoon.

Posada de Maravillas is a wonderfully classy novillero; his elegant manner of toreo conveys emotion. Although his first opponent was excessively weak and charged in an ungainly manner, Posada’s muleta provided the key to extract some meaningful charges from the novillo and he was able to construct some well worked and emotive series with the right hand. Unfortunately, his timing was not always precise and numerous unsightly enganchones sullied an otherwise tasteful faena. A slow, well executed and effective sword thrust gave way to a deserved vuelta al ruedo.

The faena to the fourth bull was also in a similar vein. His grace was able to compensate for the bull’s failings, but he was never really able to kick into top gear. The bull began charging with vigour, but this was gone after a couple of series and Posada was left to work every charge out of the animal. There were less enganchones, but the passes were sometimes executed too fast. When he was able to slow down the real dimension of his toreo emerged; the highlight of the faena was a beautiful cambio de mano executed just before taking the real sword. He finished with pretty naturales de frente and although he only managed a half sword which was sufficient, although the puntillero lifted the bull up once, a generous minority petitioned for an ear.

Had Alvaro Lorenzo been able to replicate Posada’s effective sword work to the opening animal he might have cut an ear off his first novillo. The faena was marked by low, long series of well linked passes with either hand. It was a well-constructed faena wherein Alvaro managed to gain a step between passes or stay still as necessary. Some muddy luquesinas provided an element of pyrotechnics to conclude; but it was all spoiled by the sword. A pity. The faena had not been perfect, to my mind it was too inconsistent and marred by a few desarmes and various enganchones, but it was deserving of an ear.

Lorenzo once again showcased his well-formed concept of toreo with the fifth novillo. He does not exude grace in the way Posada does, but seeks to perform long passes with low hands. The novillo only lasted two series of derechazos before stopping completely which prevented Lorenzo from constructing a complete faena – he persisted but to no avail. Nevertheless, Lorenzo’s solid concept of toreo shone through. The odd molinete and varied remate showcased some pleasing creativity.

Cristian Climent debuted with pics, and left a solid impression for one with such limited experience. His opening faena was centred around a couple of very good, linked and timed series of derechazos, but there was little else to raise the pulses. An exciting series of figure of eight toreo to end his faena would have certainly led to a petition from the generous crowd.

He was able to cut the only ear of the afternoon on the closing novillo. It was a meritorious faena to an animal with manso tendencies, the main virtue being several well timed series of derechazos. Climent re-adjusted his footing between each pass, as required by the novillo, and was able to keep his opponent focused on his lure on the numerous times it sought to head for the boards. In summary, Climent showed he deserved his chance with pics and looks ready to affront the challenge posed by the utrero, whether he is able to continue to develop only time will tell.

Thus ended a perfectly pleasant afternoon; each faena was of interest, but none will live in the memory. We will no doubt suffer worse corridas throughout this feria, and indeed during the course of the season, but it is a pity that this novillada unfolded on the plateau of the “pleasant” without scaling more emotive heights.