LECUONA La comparsa by concert pianist Stephanie Elbaz

LECUONA La comparsa by concert pianist Stephanie Elbaz
https://www.stephanie-elbaz.com

Ernesto Lecuona, 1895-1963, is one of the most famous Cuban composers. This reputation is clearly not usurped in the mere view of his emotionally powerful composition for piano solo “La Comparsa”, whose name may be translated as the group forming a carnival procession. To be more specific, this masterpiece traces a Cuban carnival, during which slaves were allowed to party, sing and dance with masked and colourful costumes.

Lecuona's Comparsa tells us the story of a slave woman, who was not allowed to participate to the carnival unlike the other slaves. As she was working, she started hearing the conga, an African drum, before seeing the carnival procession slowly getting closer and closer until passing in front of her eyes with its cheerful songs and frenzied rhythm. Then, she assisted to the carnival procession’s progressive moving away until she became only able to hear the distant sound of its drum.