Lecuona: Complete Piano Music, Vol. 1

Featuring

Thomas Tirino
Michael Bartos
Narodowa Orkiestra Symfoniczna Polskiego Radia NOSPR
Ernesto Lecuona

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Recording & Production

This recording is part of a series commemorating the centenary of Lecuona's birth and includes all his extant works for piano, some of which have never been available before.

Compositional Technique

Lecuona's music is characterized by beautiful melodies, powerful Spanish and Afro-Cuban rhythms, a rich harmonic framework, and a delicate tonal palette.

Composer Biography

Ernesto Lecuona, a Cuban composer and pianist, was considered the dominant figure in Cuban musical life for close to half a century.

Performer Biography

Thomas Tirino, the pianist on this recording, is recognized as a leading authority and one of the finest interpreters of Ernesto Lecuona's music.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Maurice Ravel, a French composer, praised Lecuona's music, stating that his "Malagueña" was more melodic and beautiful than Ravel's own "Bolero."

Composer Biography

Lecuona was known for composing spontaneously, often writing music at parties, during conversations, and even on cocktail napkins or while playing cards.

Composer Biography

Lecuona was incredibly prolific, composing over 406 songs, 176 piano pieces, 53 theatre works, 31 orchestral scores, 6 compositions for piano and orchestra, 3 violin works, a trio, 5 ballets, and 11 film scores.