Two Spheres: Memories from Cuba
Félix Spengler, Piano
Félix Spengler, Piano
Piu Mosso VAPPIU001 (1996) (46:49)
“Felix
Spengler,
founder and Director of the Ars Musicum Academia, was born in La
Habana, Cuba.
“He began his musical career at the age of 7,
studying violin and piano at the Amadeo Roldan Conservatory and the
Escuela Nacional de Arte. His family fled Cuba during the Mariel
boatlift of 1980.
“Upon arriving in New York, he was
immediately accepted as a student by the renowned Russian pedagogue
Mme. Nina Svetlanova of the Moscow Conservatory and the Manhattan
School of Music.
“In 1991, he was awarded his Bachelors and
Masters Degrees in piano performance from the Manhattan School of
Music. He has also studied conducting at the Julliard School under
the tutelage of Vincent LaSelva and is currently completing his
doctorate at Rutgers University in New Jersey.”
On
March 2, 2013 AfriClassical posted: Afro-Cuban Pianist Felix Spengler Performs Solo and with Violinist Misha Vitenson at Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall, NYC April 13, 2013 8 PM
We
have since acquired a copy of the CD, and have listened to it many
times. The works of Cervantes and Lecuona are similar to those on
our other recordings of classical Cuban piano music. However, Félix
Spengler has introduced us to one composer whose music is completely
new to us, Manuel Saumell Robredo (1818-1872). He was born 29 years
before Cervantes, and he died before the birth of Lecuona, yet the
works of all three composers on the CD represent the same style of
Cuban musical nationalism. Félix Spengler has compiled a very
pleasant program which we recommend without reservation. Listening
to Two
Spheres: Memories from Cuba makes
us
wish we could attend the April 13, 2013 recital of pianist Félix
Spengler and violinist Misha Vitenson at Carnegie Hall.
Two
Spheres: Memories from Cuba;
Félix Spengler, Piano; Piu Mosso VAPPIU001 (1996)
(46:49)
The
liner notes are written and copyrighted by Daniel Evardo Daroca
(1996).
“Memories
From Cuba: Saumell,
Cervantes, Lecuona
Cuban
music has fascinated the world for centuries. Out of the ncounters
of diverse races and peoples grew a rich musical tradition. As early
as the 19th
century, major European composers were influenced by it. We can hear
the presence of the Habanera in the famous aria from Bizet's Carmen.
Numerous contemporary dances from Cuba have captivated the world:
cha-cha-cha, Conga, Rumba, Salsa are known the world over. The seed
of these rhythms was already present in the music of 19th
century Cuban composers.”
“Manuel
Saumell Robredo (1817-1870) could
be considered the father of Cuban musical nationalism. In 1839 he was
already planning a nationalistic opera while running from dance to
dance to make a living. In his Contradanzas he notated the rhythmic
combinations characteristic of later Cuban dances.”
“Ignacio
Cervantes Kawanaugh (1847-1905) is
undoubtedly the most important nineteenth century Cuban composer. He
had the advantages of a European education. After excellent training
with Espadero in Cuba, he attended the Paris Conservatory under Alkan
and Marmontel, and obtained first prize in Piano in 1866.” “El
Velorio (The Wake).
This
dance is an example of melopoeia, or speaking in music."
“The
most popular of Cuban composers, Ernesto
Lecuona (1896-1963),
wrote zarzuelas, romanzas, songs, pieces in Spanish style, orchestral
pieces, and piano music. Following the tradition of Saumell and
Cervantes, Lecuona favored the small forms in his piano music.”
Two tunes of Lecuona relate to dancing and people of African descent:
Y
la negra bailaba and
Danza negra.
Comment by email:
Comment by email:
Oh Mr Zick, thank you very much. This is really kind! I really appreciate your review. We'll stay in touch!! Best Regards, Felix [Felix Spengler]
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