El Cant d’estil one of the most extraordinary way of showing off Valencian culture which has been in existence since mid 19th century. It is related to other Mediterranean styles of traditional interpretation both individual, virtuoso and such as flamenco nowadays. It is a forma of heart felt singing and very demanding in its special forma of interpretation.

The voice is accompanied by woodwind and string instruments and to date the performances have taken place in Street feasts and sung by semi-professional singer. Les albaes need a special mention because this is a street Valencian style, accompanied by the Valencian flute and the tambourine, performed at night serenades.

Another characteristic thing of the Cant d’estil is the improvisation of words, prompted always by the “anonymous verses” who is a prominent personality in this line of singing.

Josep Aparicio “Apa” and Teresa Segarra are two of the most outstanding voices in the new generation of this kind of singing; they have been at it for the past 30 years or so and in their curriculum, they have performed in countries as Italy, Malta and Japan, their musical background has given them the line of music unable to obtain without such musicality as theirs.

Their musical anxiety urged them to move on and in 1998 they founded La Beniterrània. Since then, with their knowledge, musical orthodoxy and thorough dedication, they have taken to the re-interpret other styles and transform them to the 21st century.

The instrumental side has been enriched with the addition of flamenco effect not forgetting the north African percussion and the cello. The words, traditonal and written by Valencian poets of the 20th century, or by the same verser Josemi Sanchez or even Apa, all these are interpretated to the rhythm of buleria, fandango, beats, and the Valencian u, u i dos and u i dotze.

Their first record Sentiments (feelings) came out in December 2004.

La Beniterrànea performs on deluxe instruments and performers outstanding as are:
The violoncello player Mattihieu Saglio, the flamenco guitarist Ricardo Esteve, the drums with Jesús Gimeno, the percussionist Oswaldo Jorge and Cristóbal Rentero who plays the Valencian flute and other wind and string instruments.

Rhythms, harmonic patterns, scales, endings... the route of the south in the traditional Valencian music, which even now, is still to be further explored: to find out that mythical andaluz horizon, find out and explore where flamenco was born, how it grew, how it has become to be so in such a culture where it stands out and lives on through the conflicts of tones and modals, and irreversible rhythms, then the out of time irregularities profound melodies unoriginal and yet so delicious.

Apa and Teresa had been looking out from their “mid-day stalls” which they took part in dance groups, such as Xafarnat, El Poblet, and Alimara. One day they decided they had to take the jump and venture from folklore to ethnic; What I mean to say is that they decided to change from the past and concentrate on giving this music a new contemporary line, a new vocal line.

They decided it was not a question of being meticulous or precise but giving their musical form a Valencian line, their own feel and their natural self. Their challenge is an open venture which will move on (this is their first step). I would like to travel with them to find out what awaits them.

Josep Vicent Frechina.