Monday 23 February 2009

A Cuban In Cuba (Music)

Still with the sand from Ancon beach in my ears and the breeze from Havana's so-called 'winter' hugging my sun-kissed skin, I sit at my computer to relate to you my dear fellow bloggers and readers the tales of my sojourn in the largest island in the Caribbean. And of course what better place to begin with than with my latest musical 'discovery'?

Harold Lopez-Nussa is a Cuban pianist who comes from a musical family. His uncle is the renowned musician Ernán Lopez-Nussa whom I first saw in concert many years ago when I was still living in Havana. His mother is a piano teacher and both his father and brother are famous percussionists. No wonder his second album 'Canciones' (Songs) has been playing on a loop on my CD player since I arrived. With material from Jobim, Matamoros, Pablo Milanés and Santiago Feliú this is a record that lifts the listener up and carries him or her around in a maze of wonderful arpeggios and notes. His take on Fito Paez' '11 y 6' is excellent and innovative and the album's coda, Cervantes' 'Los Muñecos' shows off the musician's playing skills to the max. The clip I selected tonight is not included in the record but will give you, my dear bloggy-friends, a good idea of what to expect should you chance upon the album.

This is the first of a few posts related to my stay in Cuba. Expect photos (amateurishly taken, so, please, bear with me) and features on Cuba's current social, cultural, economic and political climate. Many thanks. Enjoy.

Copyright 2009

30 comments:

  1. Wow! Lopez-Nussa is Wow! Thanks for the introduction. Looking forward to hearing more about Cuba. Glad you're back.

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  2. He vuelto al mundo de la blogosfera en el momento perfecto, estare aqui esperando tus posts sobre nuestra querida Cuba. Tremendo musica, acabo de entrar en youtube a buscar otras cosas de el. Gracias,

    saludos,
    Lena

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  3. Oh, isn't that sublime! My daughter works in Music TV - classical, mostly - I absolutely must alert her to Lopez-Nussa in case she hasn't heard him.

    Very much looking forward to hearing more about your wonderful island, especially as we are hoping to visit later this year.

    Oh, and a warm welcome back to chilly England...I'm so pleased you're still warmly sun-kissed. It's very nice to have you back - I've really missed your luminous posts!

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  4. Many thanks to all you for your kind comments.

    Greetings from London.

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  5. Missed your talent and presentations, how you infuse the music with your enthusiasm.
    Love the music..a little Bach in the beat?
    Lyn

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  6. Glad to see you back! Can't wait to hear more about "La Patria."

    Saludos de la florida!

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  7. Espero esos posts entonces como cosa buena...
    Welcome back, Cuban!!!
    Ah, qué talentoso Harold...

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  8. Indeed there's a strong chamber music influence in his style, dear Lyn. Well spotted!

    Many thanks to all for your kind comments.

    Greetings from London.

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  9. Hey you're back, Cuban! Wonerful. Looking forward yo your upcoming posts as I know so little about today's Cuba.

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  10. So glad you are back Cubanito! Am most excited to read your upcoming posts and see pics. Lucky you to be sun-kissed! It is cold and rainy here today.
    --Curmudgeon

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  11. That's simply fabulous music. Did I mention that I want to go to Cuba? In this lifetime, too. I must go. Any suggestions how an underpaid American writer can get his bones down there? I want to see Hemingway's finca, too.

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  12. Happy to see you back, Cuban! Hope you had a wonderful time with family and friends. Looking forward to the promised pictures, news and everything ...

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  13. Qué bien que estés de vuelta. Fantástico el clip de López-Nussa... vaya virtuosismo!

    Espero con muchas ganas tus artículos sobre tu querida Cuba. Mi marido y yo estamos obsesionados por visitarla un día, y esperamos poder organizar algo para que mi marido pueda tocar allí con esos maravillosos músicos que tenéis en tu pais.

    Hasta pronto!

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  14. Oh, como te extranne! ya se me hace la boca agua con tus escritos sobre la isla...porque yo nunca lo hice.
    Me quede con las palabras atoradas en la garganta.
    Si hice un escrito sobre Trinidad pero con una mision...es un poco poetico pero yo no soy escritora, asi que bare with me! lo publicare en algun momento.
    Me dio gracia leer "a Cuban in Cuba", me acostumbre tanto al London.

    pues nada, contenta de que estes de vuelta y de que nos traigas tus descubrimientos y palabras. A Harold lo vi hace mucho tiempo en un pequenno concierto...tan jovencito era...tan bueno. Vere el video en casa.

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  15. Gabby: it's so easy, my friend.

    True, a little bit expensive, but soooo worthy.
    you can also save money renting private houses, a lot of money.

    Do it, you won't regret! the sooner the better. Don't be afraid, they'll never know you went, just don't bring anything Cuban.

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  16. Como casi siempre tus descubrimientos musicales son excelentes.
    Este muchacho suena muy bien.
    Me alegro que estes de vuelta. De verdad que se te extrañaba.

    Saludos,
    Al Godar

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  17. welcome back to the blogosphere...we have missed you..and thanks for the Cuban music posts...love them already!!

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  18. Bentornato Cuban, fatto una buona vacanza? spero che si!
    Curioso che interessanti post ci presenti con una rinfrescata delle energia. Perche é proprio per questo che si fanno le vacanze no? ;)

    Saluti da Colonia,
    Salva :)

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  19. Thank you so much for posting Lopez-Nussa. I'd never heard this before.
    Pearl

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  20. A lovely post featuring a talented musician. I look forward to hearing more about your stay and impressions of Cuba.

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  21. Many thanks for your kind comments.

    Greetings from London.

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  22. Greatly enjoyed the piano playing. Very refreshing!

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  23. Many thanks, Dave.

    Greetings from London.

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  24. Estas de vuelta ? can't wait to see the photos you took - even "amateurish"
    :-)

    i have to come back to listen to Lopez-Nussa...

    just wanted to say hi and re your comment, you're the only one who noticed the red boot was sitting on Moulin rouge dvd ! At first it was a happy incident because i've been watching the movie a few times for the outfits and now the red high heeled shoe rests intentionally on it !

    à tout à l'heure...

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  25. Hahaha! 'Moulin Rouge' under a red boot? That'd have been a situation to drive freud up the wall. Many thanks for your comment.

    A toute l'heure!

    Greetings from London.

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  26. Lopez-Nussa! WOW!! Thank you for sharing this.

    Really looking forward to your photos. Snapshots are the best. Professional photography leaves me completely bored.

    Welcome home.

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  27. Hey, I’ll trade some fresh snow for a sandy beach with warm water. It must be lovely to call that home. Thanks for bringing us a long to the concert. Nice shot of Harold’s hands in action.

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  28. Many thanks, Reya and Sarah, for your kind comments.

    Greetings from London.

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  29. Welcome back, Cuban! I hope your body and soul are rejuvenated so you can continue to spread your infectious enthusiasm. This pianist is remarkable.

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  30. Many thanks, dutchbaby for your invaluable feedback.

    Greetings from London.

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