Product Description
In two movements:
I. Guajira y Punto (audio demo)
II. Quimbambia
Ensemble: String Orchestra
- Violin I, II
- Viola
- Cello
- Double Bass
Duration: approx. 4:17
Content Level: 5-10
Mastery Level: 2.5
From the composer:
Two Cuban Miniatures is a work composed of two brief pieces that pay tribute to the rhythmic and melodic richness of traditional Cuban music. Designed specifically for students at a level 2.5 difficulty, the piece draws inspiration from my childhood memories in San Antonio de los Baños, a rural town on the outskirts of Havana where I grew up.
Guajira y Punto (audio demo)Inspired by the styles and genres of Cuban rural music, this piece is built on a ternary meter and the distinctive use of syncopation, characteristic of punto cubano. The repetition of melodic motifs, tumbaos, and patterns rooted in repentismo creates a cyclical and immersive sensation, with an almost dance-like character.
QuimbumbiaThis miniature captures the energy of a traditional street game. Its dynamic, flowing rhythm and shifting textures reflect the spontaneity and playful nature of childhood, while also hinting at the responsibility that comes with growing up and the countless questions that arise in the formation of identity. Throughout the piece, solos alternate with the thematic material, a common practice in Cuban popular music, creating a dialogue between different voices and timbres within the orchestra. The sound also bears traces of influence from the great Ernesto Lecuona and the composers of Cuban dances and contradanzas.
Through Two Cuban Miniatures, I aim not only to share a piece of my roots but also to express the nostalgia and emotions I feel when recalling my childhood in Cuba. I hope that students and teachers enjoy the process of performing this music, which can be both a true challenge and a journey into a unique culture.
Commissioned by The New Canon Project, a partnership between the American Choral Directors Association, the American String Teachers Association and Rising Tide Music & Arts.
This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard's global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.