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• 08 / 29 / 2007

«The guitar is an instrument of an incredible tonal richness,» says Pedro Enrique Pena Morono, who has devoted great part of his life to studying that instrument and has already obtained encouraging results in his artistic career.

Last July, the young man was awarded first prize at the International Guitar Contest in Mexico, a rigorous competition of great professional significance, «because it has been my first competition outside Cuba and gave me the possibility of representing guitar players from our country, something that makes me really happy,» he says.

To complete his delight, Pena Moroño, recently graduated with a gold certificate from the Havanas Higher Institute of Arts (ISA), where he received classes from master Martin Pedreira.

Although he has just started his road in the world of arts, he has obtained awards in contests such as Guitarra 4 de Abril (Las Tunas, 1997), and the Isaac Nicola National Competition of Guitar Students (Camaguey, 1999 and Havana, 2005).

This young guitar player says that an artists result is measured by their exchange with the public, and he has already had proof of that both from his national tour in 2002, along with his work in the Sonantas Habaneras professional guitar orchestra, led by master Jesus Ortega; along with his concert as a soloist that same year at the Fine Arts Museum.

"Tell us a bit about your recent participation in the contest in Mexico.

"Cuba was represented by Yalid Gonzalez and me. There were 10 competitors in the contest, held in the state of Coahuila. There were three rounds and in each stage; we had to play something different. In the last stage, there were only three Mexicans and myself.

«I played pieces by various composers, such as El Concierto de Toronto (Torontos concert) by Cuban Leo Brouwer, a sonata by Spaniard Antonio Jose, and another one by Mexican Ernesto Garcia de Leon. It was real challenge. There were not any Cubans among the jury to support us and it was a very stiff competition.

«I think that meeting with the great young guitar players of my time has been a great experience. They are very talented, have extraordinary agility in their hands and play very well. In these types of scenario competitors must play lots and are judged on technique and delivery; so it was really beautiful to be presented me with the award on July 2, and thus hold the name of Cuba high in a foreign country.»

"What led you to the guitar? Where did you study it?

"I remember I was impressed by its tone, especially the sound of the instrument in popular music such as in [Cuban] trios. It was pleasant to hear those types of chords, from classical guitar music to popular music.

«Its just that the guitar sings really beautiful, as a violin or any other bow instrument, and at the same time it is as harmonic as a piano. It is very played worldwide and it is said to be the national instrument along with percussion and tres.

«I studied the specialty in the Vocational School of Arts of Las Tunas, my home city. Then, I went on to the National School of Arts (ENA), and later I studied at the ISA, where I graduated from on July. I know its easy to say, but it has been a long road.»

- What guitar styles you do prefer and who are your models?

- The classical guitar is the one that I like the most, given the way I am. It is the one that I feel most comfortable with.

And as for my models, I think that Leo Brouwer is one of the greatest guitarists on the island. As for those from other countries, I also identify with Pavel Steidel, John Williams, and many others.

- How do you see young peoples participation in the musical panorama of the country?

- Although the Havana International Guitar Festival no longer takes place, national as well as provincial events are held, just as there are guitar concerts and orchestras that include the requinto (the bass guitar) and the standard one, which is what I play.

«Right now, you can notice that in Cuba there is a very high level of guitar playing, something that is evidenced among the young musicians. The objective pursued is have these types of orchestras in all the provinces so as to enlarge the presence of that form and to connect many youths with it.

«In Las Tunas I began in an orchestra that greatly contributed to my development. Now it is called the Isaac Nicola String Orchestra. I remember that when I was 12, during Cucalambeana Day, we played pieces like Perla marina (sea pearl) to the public.

«In Havana you can appreciate group like Havanan Sonantas, which is one of the most solid that exist on the island. It has a repertoire of musicians with different styles.»

- What expectations do you have now that you are beginning to work professionally?

- Thanks to the competition in Mexico, they invited me to visit the capital of that country in November. In September I will begin to give classes at Cubas National Art School and I will work at the National Center of Concert Music.

«I plan to continue giving concerts and to dedicate a lot of time to compositions, which is what I like a lot. My other dream is to record a CD, although that can still wait.»

Source: By Yelanys Hernández Fuste, Juventud Rebelde