OLIVENZA 08/03/2015 – SEGUNDA NOVILLADA

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

 El Freixo novillos for Posada de Maravillas, Ginés Marín, Pablo Aguado & Juan Carlos Carballo (corrida matinal). Aguado and Carballo were making their debut with pics. 

 

Posada de Maravillas returned to rings following a lengthy absence as a result of the serious hand injury he suffered in Pamplona last summer. The young novillero was visibly nervous before the paseillo and conscious of the importance of the morning, not just because it marked his return from injury but also, because of its importance in the wider context of his career. It has been two years since he burst on to the scene with a spectacular triumph in Olivenza and he needed to build some momentum for his alternative, which should be forthcoming. 

Thankfully Posada celebrated his return with a triumph, cutting two ears from his first novillo: a compliant, noble animal with sufficient mobility to allow for toreo en redondo. Posada is an elegant torero, and elegant toreo is always welcome. However, the highlight of this faena was his desire to take the novillo long through the pass, guiding it around his body and keeping his hand low. Allied to this was his technically sound toreo fundamental that allowed him to link the series to perfection and time the passes to a tee. Following his spectacular first season, I was disconcerted by some of Posada’s performances last year, before he got injured. However, I am happy to report that this morning, he looked as good as ever, combining sound toreo with artistic touches. The full estocada confirmed his two ear triumph. 

Ginés Marín was again on the card, looking to repeat Friday’s triumph. His saludo capotero was dramatic: Marín welcomed the novillo with a farol de rodillas, and sought to stay on his knees to torear. His desire to please overtook technical considerations and before he was able to execute the next pass the bull was on top of him, launching him to the boards with one shake of the head. Mercifully the bull did not pursue Marín and we had nothing more to lament than a serious fright. Once on his feet Marín executed some beautifully timed veronicas, capped with a wonderful low media. Marín remained engaged with the capote throughout the lidia and regaled us with a galleo by chicuelinas to take the novillo to the picador and some saltilleras as a quite – the variety was refreshing, but the intervention with the capote failed to connect with the crowd.

By the tercio de muleta the bull displayed the piquancy of casta, a most welcome addition that had been conspicuous by its absence in the previous novillada. The doblones with which Marín took the novillo to the centre of the ring was the perfect recipe to templar the bull’s vibrant charge, the test passes were emotive and dominant, concluded with an aesthetically pleasing vertical remate.  The bull charged long and committed on the right side, and Ginés was able to channel this into good series of derechazos marked by good timing and long passes. Given the novillo was more reticent to charge on its left horn, the faena lost some impetus when Marín opted to torear al natural. Back on the right side the faena gained greater emotional intensity as Maín slowly worked his way closer to the bull culminating in a controlled arrimón. The manoletinas to finish the faena were acceptable but unnecessary. Ginés is an effective cannon with the sword and claimed his third full estocada of the feria. The crowd enthusiastically petitioned for a second ear, which was granted, but one ear would have been a sufficient reward.   

Pablo Aguado greeted his first novillo in the centre of the ring with three tight faroles on his knees, although exciting, they were, technically not the ideal start and ended with a near tossing – I am willing to forgive this technical short coming in a novillero, toreo should be emotive and not merely academic, especially at this level. The bull retained the edge of casta that it displayed in the recibo capotero for the muleta, making its charge difficult to temper, but emotive. Aguado channelled this casta through early test passes and a low hand during toreo fundamental allowing him to sculpt some beautifully timed passes with either hand. However, the novillo’s charge was too uneven and all too often lacked commitment. It was evident that the animal’s initial nerve was founded in mansedumbre rather than bravura. The faena was therefore incomplete, but Aguado showed valour and good technique to overcome a couple of tossings and the problems offered by the novillo. As the faena faded, there was still time for Aguado to execute two stunning passes a pies juntos, one a natural, the other a chest pass with the right hand. An excellent sign off to an intriguing faena that was met with an ovation from the crowd and a minor petition that was rightly ignored by the president. There did not seem to be enough handkerchiefs and the faena, although technically sound and sprinkled with attractive toreo, was not quite deserving of an ear.

Juan Carlos Carballo was the mornings other debutant, his first novillo’s principal failing was its weakness and its resulting short and reticent charge. Carballo was confidently assertive and managed to extract one very good series of long naturales, the first three of the series were exceptional as the novillo’s momentum took it long through the pass, however as the animal lost this impetus, its lack of strength was evident and Caraballo could only manage short passes to finish the series. Juan Carlos continued the faena with incomplete series, which combined some good passes with some enganchones. Despite these lacunae, Carballo was careful to structure his performance to a crescendo with a closely worked arrimón during which he let the novillos horns brush his thighs – it may not be pure toreo, but it certainly ignites the crowd. Juan Carlos finished his faena with peculiar manoletinas, executed without the sword supporting the muleta’s cloth, followed by a desplante on his knees. He claimed a full estocada and was awarded two ears where maybe one would have been sufficient. 

The six ears that had been cut by the half way point were somewhat excessive, but this should not obscure that this had been an entertaining morning thus far (as the reader will have noted, there was a great deal to write about). I am not one to quibble over excessive orejas, but it is incumbent on the aficionado to assess and calibrate the faenas regardless of their ultimate prize. In that spirit, I would want to highlight Posada de Maravillas’wonderful faena once again; the only one, thus far, truly deserving of the double prize. Some credit should also be given to El Freixo’s novillos, without being a fountain of casta and bravura, they had enough raw qualities for the novilleros to perform interesting and enjoyable toreo. The positive behaviour of the novillos would continue into the second half of the corrida and allow for more pleasing toreo; my major objection with the animals was their poor presentation. 

Posada’s second novillo showed great mobility and desire to follow the lures. Such a charge needed a strong and imposing muleta to temper its strong nature, but Posada was not able to dominate on a consistent basis and the faena never took form. On the few occasions where Posada gave the novillo a low muleta, long passes and readjusted his footing as necessary between each pass he performed pleasing toreo. Ultimately, however, this was a disappointing faena, more so given the excellent impression Posadahad caused with his first toro, but an understandable result given that he is still a young novillero recovering from a serious injury. The key is to learn from this type of novillo and mature as a torero. 

Ginés Marín met the sixth novillo with an excellent series of veronicas, the charge was long and true, and Marín gave long and very low veronicas, he was entirely dominant and relaxed – this was a young man entirely in control. The series of veronicas executed as the quite was just as emphatic, exceedingly low capotazos given with rhythm and during which the whole body was accompanying the charge. It was truly beautiful cape work. The start of the faena was toreo to savour, low genuflected test passes concluded with a majestic cambio de mano, which all had the stamp of assuredness that Marín gives to his toreo. The toreo with the left and right hand was equally assured and imposing. Marín’s derechazos were long and the naturales silky, the bull passing very close to the torero on each occasion. It is a pity that the bull, lacked an edge of commitment to give Marín’s toreo an extra level of importance. Refreshingly, Ginés concluded with two series of parsimonious and pure naturales and some genuflected passes, rather than the oft-abused arrimón. A half sword recibiendo concluded the faena and led to Marín’s third ear of the morning. However, above any prize, the principal conclusion of Ginés’ performance is the mastery that characterises each facet of his toreo. He is a novillero that is beyond his years. 

As the seventh bull entered into the arena, its novillero, Pablo Aguado, was the only one that had not yet secured the puerta grande. Happily, he soon put this right with an excellent faena founded upon elegantly executed toreo en redondo. The El Freixo novillo certainly contributed to the tiumph, it had a long, classy and repetitive charge, especially on the right had side. A novillo like this can, of course, be a double edge sword, while it serves up the possibility of a triumph, if a novillero is unable to rise to its level it can be a worrying sign for their ultimate prospects. The faena began with a delicate series of passes naturales and cambiados to take the bull into the medios, concluded with an emphatically beautiful cambio de mano. Delicate is perhaps the best adjective for the faena, the bull’s classy charge called to be caressed with the muleta. Aguado duly did with long and smooth series of derechazos, seamlessly linked and concluded with a variety of artistic and elegant remates. The novillo was not as good on the left side, but this was no impediment to Aguado performing solid and emotive series of naturales. He killed with an untidy looking full estocada which was, nonetheless, effective and allowed him to cut two thoroughly deserved ears. 

Caraballo’s recibo capotero to the eighth and final novillo was attractive, beginning with a saltillera a porta gayola and concluded with a revolera on his knees. This was another very good novillo that reached the muelta with mobility and vigour. Carballo’s faena was inconsistent and below the level of this very good novillo. The charge required timing and repose, but Carballo’s suffered too many enganchones and he did not always guide the novillo long through the pass as its charge required. Carballo was better with the left hand, extracting a couple of series of smooth muletazos, but the faena underwhelmed given the novillo’s quality. Nevertheless, despite his technical shortcomings, Carballo showcased valour and a great desire to please, these are the basic qualities we require from our novilleros. There will be time to learn the trade. 

OLIVENZA 06/05/2015 – PRIMERA NOVILLADA

The view Sent from my sofa, my thoughts on corridas I have watched on TV.

Talavante novillos for Francisco José Espada, Luís Manuel Terrón, Ginés Marín & Varea.

In this age of limited novilladas it is welcome that the impresarios of Olivenza have not only programmed two novilladas, but also included an extra novillero in each one. Eight bull corridas can have the disadvantage of being somewhat too long to digest, especially if the spectacle is not of the desired level. However, I feel that this potential disadvantage is mitigated by the benefit to the fiesta (however minor) of allowing the opportunity for one more novillero from gaining experience. The animals chosen for this first novillada were from Alejandro Talavante’s recently formed ganadería; its combination of Garcigrande and Cuvillo origin yielded predictably compliant animals whose problems were rooted in a lack of casta rather than excessive bravura.

Espada’s first novillo remained undefined during the first two tercios, it displayed mobility and nobility, but a certain lack of focus that tended towards a rajado condition. Espada took advantage of the animal’s virtues to perform well linked series on the right hand side, however, the series lacked control and, therefore, emotion. The most striking element was Espada’s marked aesthetic concept, a certain emphatic elegance that came across as natural rather than a pose. Espada was much better with his left hand, his naturales were long, pure and profound; a very solid foundation from which to build and develop his toreo.  The faena concluded with figure of eight passes that aimed to grab the crowd’s attention, but, much like the faena itself, ultimately failed to ignite excitement. A series of pinchazos and an unseemly number of descabellos marred the conclusion of what, apart from the naturales, had been an eminently forgettable faena. 

His second faena began with a promising series of a dozen or so estatuarios; the animal once again had mobility but lacked casta. The good toreo continued as Espada began to perform en redondo with the right hand; his derechazos were long, well timed and exerted control over the novillo. Once again, Espada showed that the left hand is his forte; the bull’s mobility had tempered and he was now focussed on Espada’s muleta as the young novillero caressed its charge with his left hand. Espada concluded with another good series of derechazos and figure of eight circulares that were exciting but untidy. This had been a solid performance, despite a certain coldness in its execution. He might have been awarded an ear had he not required a pinchazo, estocada and descabello to kill the novillo. 

Francisco José had an acceptable performance this afternoon in Olivenza. He has undoubted quality with his left hand and possesses a defined elegant aesthetic concept; in order to take the next step he needs to perform with greater emotion.

Luís Manuel Terrón’s first novillo was wonderfully classy, although perhaps lacking a touch of piquant mobility to transmit emotion to the crowd. Luís Manuel was able to exploit the novillo’s class and constructed a worthy faena centred on wonderfully linked series with the right side; each derechazo was long and low, with Luís Manuel controlling the bull perfectly between each pass and not needing to adjust his footing at all through the series. The bull’s left horn was far below the level of its right so there was little toreo al natural to speak of. He killed the novillo with an effective half sword which led to an enthusiastic petition for two ears; only one was granted which, to my mind, was the correct award.

Terrón welcomed his second novillo a porta gayola, and he had to take evasive action in order to avoid being tossed during the larga cambiada. Once on his feet he gave some well executed veronicas capped with a couple of chicuelinas. It was a striking beginning with an acceptable mix of fundamental toreo de capote and populist elements. The faena began with test passes to take the bull to the centre of the ring. Once in los medios, Terrón showcased his dominant, low and long toreo en redondo. It is refreshing to see such good toreo fundamental from a young, inexperienced, novillero. Unfortunately, the bull was overly weak and every time Terrón was beginning to build momentum with his toreo, the bull would lose its footing and all emotion would collapse. His toreo al natural was at the level of his right hand, but the bull’s sickly sweet nobility and lack of strength wrested emotion from the faena. Terrón sought to overcome this handicap and secure a triumph by going through his entire repertoire. Although this approach is understandable, it may obscure that his best facet is the potential of his toreo en redondo, if he can continue to refine and perfect this he may have a future in this tough business. The long faena meant that the first aviso sounded as he was still toreando, he gave a full estocada that did not have immediate effect and, although he was on the verge of a third aviso, the bull folded in time and the local crowd petitioned for an ear that the president granted, ignoring the faena’s lack of structure and untidy kill. 

Ginés Marín was one of the revelations of last year’s Olivenza novilladas, and he reminded us of his positive credentials with his opening two veronicas and a media, each of which was slow, silky and dominant. A pity that the novillo’s long charge was accompanied by a marked lack of strength. Consequently, the animal’s charge in the muleta was entirely inconsistent; when it found strength it went long, but more often than not it lacked the ability to complete its charge. Accordingly, Ginés’ faena was itself inconsistent interspersing the odd wonderful pass with inconsequential muletazos. As is so often the case, he concluded with the obligatory arrimón that excited the crowd and cost Ginés a minor voltereta. A perfectly executed estocada, going in straight and strong, claiming a full sword was worth the oreja he was awarded.      

Marín’s faena to the seventh bull of the evening proved to be the corrida’s highlight. As with the entire the string, this novillo was noble, but lacking in casta. Therefore the emotive element of the performance was wholly down to Marín. He displayed the valour, assuredness and control to impose his will on the novillo and extract a number of series en redondo with either hand. These were well linked and slow, executed with a confident elegance that characterises Marín’s aesthetic concept. He displayed variety by way of attractive remates and concluded the faena with populist bernadinas that were performed closely and served to animate the public. He crowned his performance with a full and effective estocada that served him to cut two ears; two ears that marked his faena, and Marín’s performance as a whole, at a level above his partners on the cartel.  

Varea’s first novillo was the weakest of the string thus far. Although Varea showed able technique and an elegant aesthetic concept, the novillo prevented any attempt at a faena from taking flight. Unfortunately, the theme continued with the final bull of this long corrida. It was noble, but lacked casta. Varea sought to impose his dominant toreo on this animal, but he lacked a proper opponent. I am loathe to judge a novillero with such lacklustre bulls. All I can conclude is that he has a pleasing aesthetic and technical concept of toreo and I would welcome seeing him once again.  

Despite the uninteresting behaviour of the novillos, we were able to gain a fair view of the novilleros on the cartel. Ginés Marín performed noticeably above the level of his colleagues, but each of Espada, Terrón and Varea displayed enough virtues to make them intriguing performers; we can of course pick plenty of holes in their technique and displays but I feel focussing on the negative and ignoring the positive misses the point of assessing novilleros. There will be time to judge them on a harsher degree as their careers develop.

LOOKING BACK AT VALDEMORILLO AND FORWARD TO THE NEXT FERIAS

Last weekend we were treated to what was, ultimately, a disappointing feria de Valdemorillo. Our taurine starved souls welcomed this short February feria when it was announced, but the lacklustre bulls and novillos put paid to our desire for a string of emotive faenas. Furthermore, once it finished I realised that the next feria was still a month away, and continuous toros would need to wait for another couple of months. However, let us not begin on such a bleak note.

Although the toros were poor, Valdemorillo should serve as the calling card for aspiring toreros who feel that they have something to contribute to the season. As such it was moderately effective. Borja Jiménez continued to show that he is one of the leading novilleros and may indeed forge a solid career in the senior escalafón, while Escudero displayed an aptitude that should hold him in good stead for an alternativa that will surely arrive this season. 

As far as the full matadors are concerned, Gallo gave a solid performance with the Pereda bulls, albeit without dispelling any lingering doubts over his long term prospects and Curro Díaz reminded us that his shining class will be a welcome addition to any cartel during the course of this season. Escribano continued to show that, with the correct marketing and promotion, he is a viable alternative to the tired line ups of popular, spectacular toreros aimed at the casual fan – then I remembered that toreo’s own marketing is entirely absent and the “system” is unlikely to effectively promote this asset effectively.

Above all, however, this feria will be remembered for Victor Barrio’s excellent performance. Above his variety with the capote and muleta, what impressed me was his ability to do the difficult things well. In order to be a consistent torero, one must be able to extract a worthy faena to average bulls and torear well en redondo. The faena to his first Cebada was a perfect example of the former and the performance to close the feria exemplified the latter – despite all of toreo’s technical developments and the variety that is possible with the muleta, well executed toreo en redondo is still the basis for the very best performances. Both these elements made Barrio’s afternoon particularly impressive.

Therefore, if we view the function of Valdemorillo to serve as a shop window for aspiring toreros fighting for contracts, its results were entirely acceptable as we were able to assess and enjoy a range of toreros that we would not usually see on the feria circuit. However, in order for the feria to be worthwhile in the grand scheme of toreo there should be a succession of new contracts for the triumphant toreros so that they may show whether the positive performance was a happy coincidence or the sign of an improving torero. This is where toreo’s system fails us once again.

The afición is asking for a fresh approach to cartels, but those that have been offered by the impresarios of Castellón and Valencia, despite their welcome inclusion of the principal figuras, come across as increasingly stale. Castellón, for example, has programmed eight of the nine toreros that performed in the 2014 feria. The only change? Paqurri in for El Cordobés, certainly not a swap that reflects the development of toreo in 2014.

The impresarios will of course argue that they programme the toreros that the public at large wants to see, and the public is still attracted to fading popular stars from the 1990s[1]. I agree that ferias should programme the toreros who the impresario feels will attract the most public to the plaza and I recognise that the figuras from the 1990s gossip mags still have pulling power[2], but, my reply would be what has been done to promote new toreros in the interim? 

The impresarios expect each torero to torear and do their own PR – surely it is in the interest of toreo as a whole to promote new toreros. Evidently not. The two pronged approach needed to try to launch new toreros, first, opening up cartels to include new toreros and secondly a public relations campaign to promote the most worthy toreros and highlight their triumphs, is conspicuous by its absence.

This is why we are left with an entirely repetitive Feria de Fallas and de Castellón. I have no objections to the programming of figuras, it’s the fillers (we all know who these are) that leave me underwhelmed. All the while good, young toreros, such as Juan del Álamo, José Garrido and Victor Barrio are left at home searching for new contracts. This is no good for la fiesta, even if it leaves space for Paquirri to open up a cartel for the figuras and brings in some casual viewers seeking a peak at their gossip hero of twenty years ago. It may bring bums on seats in the short term[3], but is not good for the long term development of a young generation of toreros that the afición wants to see.

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[1] An indication that the fiesta needs a new generation of aficionados who are taken with gossip stars of the 2010s?

[2] Last year a local feria programmed as its sole corrida El Cordobés, Padilla and El Fandi – a depressing cartel for an aficionado if I ever saw one. I was discussing the corrida with my barber, who says he likes los toros, but has no way to engage with the fiesta other than through the odd local cartel. I was saying how I would prefer a cartel of young toreros who could offer a worthy spectacle. His reply was that he was happy with the cartel, because El Cordobés was the best torero around. For all of Manuel Díaz’s qualities (not least the ease with which he engages the crowd) surely it is in the interest of toreo as a whole to promote a younger generation of worthy toreros whose name my barber would recognise.

[3] This is debatable, despite the allure of Spain’s best torero, my barber did not go to last year’s corrida. The aficionados did though, and they wondered why on earth they could not catch a performance by David Galván instead.

VALDEMORILLO 08/02/2015 – TERCERA DE ABONO

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

 

Cebada Gago bulls for Paulita, Manuel Escribano & Victor Barrio

Paulita’s first Cebada was an underwhelming specimen that lacked the power and casta to excite. Faced with this sub-standard material, there was little that Pauita could do. He managed a well-earned series of linked derechazos at the end of the faena. Nevertheless, this was a performance that could be forgotten as soon as it finished.

His second bull was also dull and lacked class. Paulita was lost in a mire of unstructured flaps that passed for a faena – the bull was rubbish and Paulita lacked the wherewithal to dominate the scene. His sword thrust was delantero and effective.

Escribano engaged the crowd with a larga cambiada in the tercio as soon as the second bull entered the arena. He continued on his feet with some slow veronicas to a bull that already hinted at a bland condition that the rigours of the lidia would only exacerbate. Escribano’s taurine philosophy is lidia total, he seeks to intervene at create spectacle during each third. Therefore, notwithstanding the bull’s form he performed a quite by chicuelinas that was smooth but lacked emotion. His intervention with the banderillas was very welcome, I would particularly highlight a purely executed second par squared between the horns and the spectacular quiebro by the board to close the tercio. Although bland, the bull reached the tercio de muleta with sufficient mobility to allow Escribano to give a sober performance en redondo, peppered with a variety of three in one passes and manoletinas that kept the crowd entertained. This was by no means a vintage performance, merely an entirely professional outing where a torero that was sure of himself and his craft extracted worthy toreo from a bull whose quality left much to be desired. Escribano’s sure sword thrust was the final staging post to a deserved ear.

He again sought to impose his spectacular brand of toreo on the fifth bull and began with another larga cambiada on his knees, this time was a porta gayola, but the bull went straight for the torero and as Escribano ducked and it jumped over him. Once on his feet, the slow and low veronicas were a welcome surprise and the media was to savour. It was an emotive opening that was made possible by the bull’s vibrant entrance.  Once again Escribano took the banderillas to deliver a varied but inconsistent tercio de banderillas. The bull displayed greater class and willingness to charge than its brothers which Escibano was able to mould into some clean series en redondo. However as the animal lacked an edge of vigour and the impetus to repeat successive charges the faena lacked the rhythm that would have brought it to life. Escribano also over extended the length of the faena, the typical failing of many a twenty-first century performance. It is ironic that Escribano was able to construct a more attractive faena from his seemingly inferior first bull… A very swift sword thrust gave way to a petition for an ear that was not granted and, to my mind, would have been unwarranted.

The star of the afternoon was Victor Barrio who took home three ears from the best lot of bulls. Barrio also opted for an opening a porta gayola, meeting his first bull in the centre of the ring with a series of tafalleras and chicuelinas, capped with a recorte after he lost his cape. Although a striking start, from a technical perspective, it lacked the dominance that a torero should strive for. However, not to come across too downbeat; the crowd was hooked and it was certainly the emotive highlight of the corrida thus far. Although the bull bland and disinterested, keeping its head up throughout the lidia, it had just enough mobility to provide Barrio some material with which to sculpt a promising faena. The young torero showed a firmness and determination to extract each charge from a reticent bull; he would not accept defeat and stood his ground to ensure that the bull repeated its charges. On this technical foundation, he performed solid series en redondo with either hand. His work was worth an ear, but above all, I would highlight his decisive attitude and technical aptitude to perform a worthwhile faena to an average bull.

 

Barrio opening gambit to his final bull was also a porta gayola; the bull initially ignored Barrio, who was kneeing just outside of the pic lines, but the torero stood (knelt?) his ground and when he attracted the bull to his jurisdiction performed four admirably clean faroles and, once on his feet, a low, slow and emphatic media veronica a pies juntos. An excellent piece of toreo. Barrio’s brilliant performance with the capote continued by way of a clean and varied intervention at quites; the two crinolinas, two gaoneras and a brionesa were delivered with refreshing sobriety and once again brought the crowd to its feet. The bull was noble, classy and blessed with an emotive gallop; my enthusiasm for it was tempered by an impression that it might lack the strength to sustain a complete faena. The opening couple of series were muddied. Barrio started the faena on his knees but soon realised that he needed to get to his feet, thus stunting the momentum of the series, while his second attempt at toreo was sullied by a desarme. The faena began to take shape from the third series, Barrio once again impressed by the firm attitude of his toreo en redondo and his ability to seamlessly link emotive passes with either hand. The fourth such series was exceptional; he cited the bull from a distance and executed five low, slow passes, controlling the bull though the series. The good toreo continued to flow with two equally dominating series, one with each hand, the second concluding with an excellent, long cambio de mano.  The faena was completed with a statuesque series of bernadinas and the bull was squared for the estocada. However, a section of the crowd began petitioning for an entirely unjustified indulto (the bull was probably not even quite worth the vuelta it was ultimately granted). Barrio doubted for a minute and gave a further series of naturales which had the undesirable effect of increasing the petition (although the series itself was good); thankfully Barrio saw sense and immediately after the naturales executed a full sword thrust that ensured he was awarded two thoroughly deserved ears. 

VALDEMORILLO 07/02/2015 – SEGUNDA DE ABONO

Here's the next instalment. The final corrida of the feria is about to start - let's hope it puts right the disappointing results of the first two!

All the best,

John

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

 

José Luís Pereda and Dehesilla bulls for Curro Díaz, Eduardo Gallo & Arturo Saldivar.

 

Curro Díaz is an exquisite artist that I always enjoy meeting on a cartel. The first two tercios of the opening bull were not promising; it lost its footing during the saludo capotero and never displayed significant mobility. These defects continued into the tercio de muleta, but the animal managed to find life within its brave soul to give Curro Díaz some charges, allowing him to create a pleasingly artistic faena. The highlight was the intense first series of derechazos, five demanding, exceedingy slow and seamlessly linked passes which were accompanied by Curro’s magnificent aesthetic style. The bull had already given more of itself than we might have initially hoped. No doubt taken by this, Curro overextended his faena beyond the bull’s capacity to charge. Even so, there were the odd pleasing passes which might have yielded a cheap ear had he not pinchado. Despite Curro’s bright toreo, this was an underwhelming start to the corrida.

 

His second bull was putrid. Rather than charge like a brave bull might, it dozily wandered about the sand shaking its head in the vague direction of a red lure. In light of the bull’s condition, toreo was impossible.

 

Eduardo Gallo has recently shown signs that the promising novillero of his youth might (eventually, it has been ten years) grow into a significant matador de toros. His first bull was an exceedingly classy Nuñez that lacked just an edge of casta and strength to be described as a truly outstanding bull. Gallo was able to perform very correct toreo en redondo with both hands. However, his faena lacked an edge of personal expressiveness to communicate fully with the crowd. Nevertheless, his passes were technically sound, smooth and well linked. Gallo was able to let his personality come to the fore in the arrimón ojedista with which he concluded his faena. As a novillero he shone because of his encimismo and stoic stillness, it is therefore unsurprising that this facet of his toreo continues to be his primary calling card. An estocada led to a mild petition and a vuelta al ruedo.

 

While being one of the better bulls in a sub-standard lot, the fifth bull continued the generally poor tone set by its brothers. Gallo was able to channel its limited mobility into toreo en redondo and overcome its lack of class with his decisive muleta. This was not an emotive faena, however much we may want to stretch the meaning of that word. Yet, it was difficult to make this bull charge, and even harder to perform clean and smooth toreo with it, Gallo therefore deserves a large measure of credit for his performance. Eduardo concluded with another arrimón, this time it was greeted with jeers from a crowd that had seen enough of this lacklustre bull – a varied conclusion to a faena should be used to garnish a good performance, not recited automatically without considering the performance as a whole.

 

Arturo Saldivar is one of the group of young Mexican matadors that have forged their taurine apprenticeship in Spain, and is arguably one of its leading lights. His first bull was mobile but classless and Saldivar performed a long and varied faena showcasing his capable technique but there was nothing here to stir the crowd. The concluding manoletinas were exciting, but ultimately, we can take little of note from either the faena or the bull.

 

The sixth bull traced a similar path. It moved, but lacked conviction; there was no communicative casta in its charge. Saldivar gave many passes, but none was moving; he was rarely caught out by the bull, but his toreo carried no message. It was difficult to perform emotive toreo with either of his bulls, and his faenas were thus trapped in the taurine purgatory of the spectators’ boredom.

This had been a hopeless corrida, the bulls were rotten and, as a result, I cannot fault the toreros’ general performance. The main failing was that they spent too long in front of the bulls, continuing their faenas long after the spectators had abandoned all hope (forget purgatory, this corrida was hell). Poor bulls and faenas that last too long, a perfect definition for too many corridas in the twenty-first century. It is tough not to be pessimistic after this type of corrida. We know that there will be many more of its ilk during the course of the year, and you cannot help but wonder, what is the fiesta’s attraction to the casual aficionado when the average level of spectacle is so meagre? Besides, the paltry presentation of the cattle meant that they were not even an impressive sight to behold.

VALDEMORILLO 06/02/2015 – PRIMERA DE ABONO

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

Albarreal (1^st, 2^nd, 4^th & 6^th) and JP Domecq (3^rd & 5^th) novillos for Ángel Jiménez, Martín Escudero & Borja Jiménez.

 Although the most senior in age, Ángel Jiménez is the novillero with the least amount of experience on the bill. He drew an unfortunate lot. The first bull was immobile and disinterested; Ángel spent a long time in front of it without extracting any toreo of note. His second was uncomfortable when it charged, but, more often than not, it displayed no desire to move whatsoever. Both his faenas were long and he displayed a competent knowledge of taurine technique. However, I am left with the doubt as to whether he will develop into anything greater than one of the countless toreros that have learnt a solid technique in school but are unable to parlay this into performing toreo with a message; his novillos poor, certainly, but Ángel did not display, on this occasion, any qualities that made me want to see him with better cattle.   

Martín Escudero opted for a quite by saltilleras as an opening gambit to show his desire to please; these were clean, but lacked emotion and thus were accompanied by a stonily silence from the crowd. The novillo was not yet defined by the time Escudero took the muleta. It was noble and mobile, yes, but what would determine the ultimate result would be whether it was able to combine this with a brave desire to charge. Escudero’s first couple of series, with the right hand, were clean and long, but the bull had the defect of losing interest between each muletazo.  This theme continued with the left hand, although, above all, the impression was that Escudero had properly sized up his opponent and was in complete command. As the bull’s mobility lessened and its charge shortened, Escudero was able to keep the bull fully focussed between each pass, which led to the best couple of series of derechazos – although the faena as a whole was entirely correct, these two series, especially the first, were the only truly emotive moments. The token bernadinas gave way to a full sword that might have been sufficient to kill the bull but for the unfortunate intervention of the puntillero which turned what might have been an oreja by numbers into a well-deserved ovation.

The faena to the fifth novillo started with a spectacular voltereta – Escudero wanted to begin through estatuarios, he did not produce a toque at all and the novillo headed straight to the body. The young novillero dusted himself off and opted to repeat the pass, which, happily had a cleaner execution at the second time of asking. The novillo was bordering on weak, but its charge was buoyant enough to allow for meaningful toreo en redondo. This was an utterly dominant faena from Martín: he was in control of the bull at all times and used his developed technique to give the novillo what it needed at each stage of the faena. Due to its weakness, he was not able to lower the hand immediately, but as the faena developed, he increased the intensity and what began as clean, well linked series, became intense and emotive toreo. It was a long faena, but measured at the same time, each pass was well conceived as a part of the whole. A pity that the bull did not have an extra measure of strength, which would have in turn added intensity and vigour to its charge. As such, following a full estocada, the faena only merited one ear, which was duly granted.

It was pleasing to find Borja Jiménez on the cartel, he was one of the stand out novilleros of 2014, along with José Garrido, of course. The faena to his first novillo began with the pendulum in the centre of the ring. While it may seem like a cheap way to try to grab the crowd’s attention, Borja executed it with aplomb and used it to take the novillo to the centre of the ring immediately. The early part of the faena was perfectly structured: the spectacular start, a first series of derechazos giving the bull distance and allowing it to find its rhythm, followed by a very good series of derechazos taking the bull long through the pass, linking each muletazo seamlessly and concluding with a martinete, molinete and chest pass. The crowd was entirely engaged in the faena and Borja swapped hands to execute an equally pleasing series of naturales; Borja recognised that the bull’s class was not accompanied with the greatest strength and he was careful to alleviate it with a mid-height muleta, an ideal recourse that allowed him to perform this well linked series. As the bull’s vigour lessened so did the intensity of the faena, nevertheless, Borja showed his undoubted quality – he gives his toreo a freshness that engages the crowd without descending into prosaic populism. A low estocada took the sheen off his performance, but it did not prevent him from being awarded an ear.

The final novillo was the weakest of the lot and prevented any attempt at a serious faena; it spent far too long on its knees, and Borja spent far too long trying to extract toreo from this vacant animal. The lidia had begun brightly enough with a couple of cheerful larga de rodillas, but when the novillo became rajado half way through the saludo, all signs pointed to the novillada concluding with a damp squib.

I would like to conclude with some words on the disappointing behaviour and presentation of the novillos. We aficionados are often disheartened by the standardised charges we encounter each afternoon from Domecq ranches. However, the Albarreales did not even reach such low expectations. The JP Domecq novillos, as befits their bloodline, did at least reach the expected standard; but this is, of course, below the desired level that we, ideally, would like to see. However, the presentation of the JP Domecq novillos was ridiculous, they seemed like big erales rather than novillos being lidiados in the Comunidad de Madrid. Although better, the presentation of the Albarreales was also poor.

Albacete 11/09/2014 – Cuarta de Abono

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

Fuente Ymbro bulls for Finito de Córdoba, Miguel Ángel Perera & Alejandro Talavante

Even after all these years, I do not know how I feel about Finito. He is a torero of exceptional class, who is able to torear beautifully, but he has lacked the ability to do so on a regular basis (ability is the correct word, I firmly believe that consistency is a skill and rises above being merely lucky). Perera is an entirely different torero. One cannot deny he has the striking demeanour of a torero, but the beauty of Miguel Ángel’s toreo resides in his management of the cloth and the control he exerts over the bull.  His fellow Extremeño, Alejandro Talavante, is another inconsistent toreo, and he has found himself marginalised this season as part of the G5 controversy. Despite his inconsistency, I find him a deeply intriguing torero who can perform stunningly beautiful toreo with his left hand – he might struggle with a certain type of demanding bull, but with the compliant bull, his toreo is angelic.

Before them was a corrida of Fuente Ymbros – predicting bulls’ behaviour is a mugs game. However, I will say that this ranch promises interesting bulls. It may not always deliver them, but it is not one of those ranches where the aficionado’s hopes are all but last before they enter the ring.

Finito’s first bull was average; the type of bull we see all too often, obedient, but dull. After a few inconsistent series, with either hand, the faena peaked with a very well performed series of derechazos; a low, demanding, set of passes impregnated with Finito’s striking elegance. The series, perhaps did not merit the strong ovation it received, but this was pleasing toreo. The bull, however, was finished. It barely accepted two elegant naturales and a couple of sparkling molinetes. He killed poorly, which did not make a difference to the final result (he was never going to be awarded an ear), although he did earn a few jeers for his trouble.

The afternoon’s second bull was equally poor. Its head bobbed loosely during the pass and its charge conveyed no emotion. Perera stood-up firmly to the bull and show its problems. Thankfully, Miguel Ángel also cut his faena short at the right point (I am tired of toreros dragging their performances unnecessarily), unfortunately, it took a great deal of time to squre the bull up for the kill.

Sadly, the corrida continued the downward spiral with the third bull. Another empty bull that did not allow Talvante to create any meaningful toreo.

The tea break allowed us to draw in some breath and hope for a better second half – as I always say, the aficionado’s naïve optimism is boundless!

However, any hopes for the corrida’s resurrection were dashed by the fourth bull. Another disconcertingly dull charge prevented even an attempt at a faena. One might want to keep the odd derechazo for the memory bank, but that would be overly generous. The crowd’s loud jeers were for Finito’s macheteo, but they were entirely unwarranted. The jeers should have been for the bull.

Miguel Ángel Perera’s first bull finally gave us some worthy charges; it came out of the pen with intent and charged nobly at Perera’s capote. He was able to perform a series of silky soft delantales taking the bull to the centre of the ring with aplomb. This gave us the afternoon’s first true ovation. Would this bull be a diamond among the sequins? Happily, the bull’s charge also allowed Perera to perform an emotive and well linked quite by chicuelinas, linked with tafalleras and concluded with a cordobina and larga cordobesa. The toreo was good, not great, but in the context of the afternoon, it was very welcome.

Perera seemed confident that the bull’s charge would continue into the muleta, and dedicated the faena to the crowd before performing characteristically closely worked passes cambiados in the centre of the ring. Although the spectacular edge to Perera’s toreo is welcome, what truly seduces me about his toreo is his wonderful ability to torear in redondo. The bull was noble and possessed a repetitive charge, its one failing was a lack of emotive vitality. Nevetheless Miguel Ángel’s muleta, so often a whip that can tame a nervy bull, was a silk handkerchief that caressed the bull by derechazos and naturales. The torero was entirely in control of proceedings and he concluded with a dominant and well-timed arrimón, garnished with circulares and luqusinas. Miguel Ángel Perera had crafted a complete faena with a good, but incomplete bull, thereby showing why he is the leading torero of the moment. He killed the bull with an estocada, but it came at the price of a chilling voltereta. The bull hooked the torero at knee level and ripped his suit up to his chest; thankfully the horn did not pierece the flesh, but his bruised torso was visible through his shredded shirt. Perera was awarded two ears for his work.

The corrida concluded in the vein of the first four bulls. The sixth was another poor bull and a mere hint of positive toreo. The highlight of Talvanate’s performance was a bright media to conclude his capote greeting. The bull’s inconsistent charge put paid to any further attepts.

Given my hopes for the corrida and that I have often enjoyed Fuente Ymbro’s bulls and it was painful to see such a poor string – worryingly, the ganadero said that the eight bulls he brought to Albacete were from seven different stud bulls. Let’s hope that the corrida’s problems were tangential, rather than deep rooted. There have been enough good Fuente Ymbro bulls run this year for us to believe that the former, rather than the latter, may be the case.