High-Note Saturday in Cuba’s Most Music-Driven City
Special moments were lived in Santiago de Cuba on Saturday September 27th with performances by prestigious Cuban artists.
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The concert staged by maestro Frank Fernandez at Dolores Hall, with the Eastern Symphonic Orchestra conducted by maestro Guido López-Gavilán, was dedicated to the Commander of the Revolution Juan Almeida, Celia Sánchez and the 88th birthday of Enrique Bonne.
“Guido had already organized the concert for the 500th anniversary of the foundation of the village,” the famous pianist told the press. “But I thought that 500 years of the historic eastern capital mean nothing without its men and women, and that’s the reason why we also want to pay tribute to those three outstanding personalities”.
With this goal in mind, he explained, they chose a very complex proposal that began with the world-famous Overture of Romeo and Juliet, composed by Tchaikovsky, followed by the optimism, joy and brilliance shown by Mozart in his Concert No. 23. Tierra Brava was the next and, just like maestro Fernandez said, “I played a piece that represents both Lecuona and myself, because I believe that La Comparsa belongs to Lecuona, Guanabacoa, but is also part of the Cuban soul”.
During his words with the press, he said that the orchestra is excellent. “Its young musicians are extraordinary. This orchestra features tons of enthusiasm and quality, but it needs help because not all of its sessions are complete due to the lack of instruments”.
Likewise, he praised the quality and condition of Dolores Concert Hall and, when referring to the perspective of repeating his performances, he said: “this one won’t be the last concert for the 500th anniversary. We have decided that this celebration will have us make a piano performance at the Dolores Hall, which features the finest acoustics in Cuba and the worst pianos of the country”.
In the afternoon, this hall hosted other activities included in the “Amigos del Jazz” program. The third edition of this meeting is organized by the Provincial Committee of Cuba’s Writers and Artists League (UNEAC is the Spanish acronym) and Miguel Matamoros Marketing Company of Music and Shows.
"These meetings will buttress our city’s stance as one of the heftiest jazz strongholds in Cuba", Rodulfo Vaillant García, president of UNEAC in the city of Santiago de Cuba said. There is jazz all over the city and La Jutía Conga, the Concerts Hall and Iris Jazz are the main stages. The latter, nestled right in front of Mars Square, hosted performances by showman Bobby Carcassés, percussionist Nayibe Madariaga; Iván Acosta and his De Cuba Somos group, and Maracuyá Quartet, from Camagüey.
The young radio enthusiasts also had their chance this weekend at the hospitable city. After the fruitful talk with Guillermo Pavón, vice-president of the Cuban Institute of Radio and Television (ICRT is the Spanish acronym), and the activities included in the event’s agenda, the participants in the Antonio Lloga in Memoriam Workshop and National Contest of Young Radio brought its 24th edition to an end.
The staircase of Emilio Bacardí Moreau Historic Museum was the Hermanos Saíz Association’s venue of choice to hold the closing ceremony of this workshop. The awards were given in this ceremony and the “Master of the Airwaves” distinction was handed to Caridad Martínez, national radio executive, and Jorge Luis Colomé, and outstanding figure at the CMKC Radio Revolución radio station. The evening came to a close with a concert by pop star Raul Paz, his first performance ever in Santiago de Cuba.
Source: Granma Newspaper
