Ernesto Lecuona

Ernesto Lecuona was born on August 6, 1895, in Guanabacoa, near Havana, Cuba. He was a Cuban composer and pianist, recognized as one of the most significant musicians from Cuba in the 20th century.

A child prodigy on the piano, Lecuona began his musical journey at a very young age. He received his formal education at the Havana Conservatory, showing exceptional talent in both composition and performance. Later, he furthered his studies in New York.

Lecuona's compositional range was diverse, encompassing Zarzuelas (a Spanish lyric-dramatic genre that alternates between spoken and sung scenes), songs, piano music, and film scores. He is most famous for his piano works, which beautifully fuse Cuban rhythms and melodies with classical techniques and structures.

Among his many compositions, the "Malagueña," from the "Suite Andalucía," stands out as one of the most popular pieces in Latin American piano literature. Lecuona was not only a prolific composer but also an accomplished pianist, often performing his own compositions. His music is characterized by its lyrical style, rhythmic complexity, and deep roots in Cuban and Spanish musical traditions.

Ernesto Lecuona passed away on November 29, 1963, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, leaving behind a rich legacy in the world of classical and Cuban music.