Ernesto Lecuona
Ernesto Lecuona y Casado, born on August 6, 1895, in Guanabacoa, Havana, Cuba, was a prolific Cuban composer and pianist. He is often regarded as one of the most important musicians to emerge from Cuba, earning the nickname "the Gershwin of Cuba." Lecuona's musical talent was evident from a young age, as he began playing piano at the age of five under the tutelage of his sister, Ernestina Lecuona. He continued his studies at the Conservatorio Peyrellade with Antonio Saavedra and Joaquín Nin, ultimately graduating from the National Conservatory of Havana with a gold medal in performance at 17.
Lecuona's career was marked by his versatility and prolific output, with over 600 compositions spanning songs, zarzuelas, piano pieces, and symphonic works. His notable compositions include "Malagueña," "Siboney," and "The Breeze and I" ("Andalucía"). He made his first recordings in New York in 1917 and founded the Instituto Musical de La Habana in 1918. Lecuona's music blended Spanish-European traditions with African rhythms, which helped define Cuban music.
In the 1930s, he formed the popular band Lecuona Cuban Boys, which showcased his successful pieces. Lecuona also composed music for films, including "The Cuban Love Song" and "Always in My Heart," the latter earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Song in 1942. His influence extended beyond Cuba, with concert tours in Europe and the Americas, and he was friends with notable composers like George Gershwin and Maurice Ravel.
After the Cuban Revolution in 1959, Lecuona moved to the United States, settling in Tampa, Florida. He later traveled to the Canary Islands, where he passed away on November 29, 1963. Despite his exile, Lecuona's legacy as a dominant force in Latin music endures, with his works continuing to be celebrated worldwide.
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