Ignacio Cervantes is a key figure of Latin American piano music. As the cultural and national identity of his native Cuba gained strength through the 19th century, the genres of danza and contradanza became a fixture of the island's dance and concert halls, providing a bridge betweendifferent sections of society. Cervantes's pieces, which display a similar swing and verve to ScottJoplin's ubiquitous Rags, synthesize Cuban local humour and colour with the Romantic aesthetic of Chopin. Their titles range from the poignant Adios a Cuba, to the laughter of La carcajada.
C**L
Brilliant music, beautifully played
This CD currently tops the playlist of the hundreds (thousands?) of CDs I own.I have no idea why more people aren't familiar with the work of this fantastic composer. Cervantes (1847-1905) was a Cuban child prodigy who studied piano and composing with some of the top names in the world at the time, and he was clearly influenced by the music of Chopin and other European greats. That said, his compositions are Cuban to the core in the best possible sense.This is engaging, emotional, and yet also intellectual music of the highest order -- lyrical, complex, and sensuous.If that Redford and Newman movie had originally been filmed and scored in a Spanish-speaking country ("El Golpe"?), piano students all over the world might be playing these Cervantes pieces instead of Scott Joplin (whom I also revere -- but these Cervantes pieces are every bit as good as Joplin's work, and in some ways maybe even better).On this CD, Senor Cendoya renders these composition with great style, heart, and technical proficiency.Every great CD is a combination of great material (the compositions) and great rendition (the performers). For my money, one could not ask for a better combination of material and performance than on this recording. I've already given away several copies to good friends, and I will continue to do that.Highly recommended!
J**Y
Cervantes Danzas Cubanas
Cendoya's interpretation of these Danzas if truly a pleasure to listen. I could listen to them without end. I recommend for those who like old fashion Cuban music. I recommend to all. Great CD.
M**Y
The other Cervantes.
Excellent recordings of a neglected Cuban musician-composer, engaging for their many moods and programmatic titles. A series of perfect gems!
S**S
charming melodies
Lovely short piano pieces. Listening to the whole CD at once can make the pieces sound repetitive, as they are all in the same style, but there are real gems in here, including Los tres golpes and duchas frias.
B**S
Four Stars
Just fine.
R**A
Five Stars
Ver y good
P**H
What you hear makes no pretence at musical orthodoxy. It’s rather a divertissement, a subtle pleasure
38 miniaturas de Ignacio Cervantes (1847–1905) a cargo del pianista español Álvaro Cendoya (66:24’) e inspiradas en las formas de danza iberoamericanas con un toque de clasicismo de salón. Es música lírica, nostálgica, delicada, sensual pero también puede estar imbuida de ritmos tropicales y motivos de danza; es música muy cubana pero no es aconsejable escucharla de una sentada pues corre el riesgo de indigestión pues no hay pathos, ni emoción profunda ni conflicto. Álvaro Cendoya se formó con Bruno Leonardo Gelber y es un estilista excelente que ha grabado ya cuatro álbumes para Naxos; éste fue grabado en 2010 en Gerona, Estudio l’Auditorium. Buenas notas informativas y el sonido es bueno.Contenidos: Los tres golpes, Cortesana, El velorio, La encantadora, Adiós a Cuba, Vuelta al hogar, Cri-Crí, Ilusiones perdidas, La carcajada, Homenaje, La glorieta, Almendares, Improvisada, No bailes más, Decisión, Mensaje, Picotazos, Un recuerdo, Soledad, Amistad, Invitación, Interrumpida, La celosa, Amén, ¡Pst!, Siempre sí, Tiene que ser, No llores más, Duchas frías, No me toques, Zigs-Zags, Gran señora, Intima, Lejos de ti, Se fue y no vuelve más, Fusión de almas, Te quiero tanto, ¿Por qué, eh?
T**Y
Bellissimo
One of the best piano musics to listen to. And Alvaro Cendoya has a very sweet and sentive interpretation which makes this cd great.
L**3
Ras
Il faut aimer le piano 🎹 et la musique est très loin loin de cuba.....
M**L
Bello y delicado!
Bello y delicado
C**N
https: //www. amazon.
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B005YD11QK/ref=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_0
