• Submitted by: Rafa Faridis
• Arts and Culture
• Music
• 10 / 27 / 2014

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On the occasion of the 69th anniversary of the United Nations (UN), the famous Cuban pianist Frank Fernández gave a concert last October 23 at the Basilica of San Francisco de Asis, Havana.

The gala was opened by the words of Soraya Alvarez, General Director of the Cuban United Nations Association (ACNU). As a spokeswoman for the Cuban Civil Society, urged all UN member countries to do their utmost in the fight to permanently eradicate the epidemic of Ebola and to help the countries of the African continent. She also took a moment to honor the work of Cuban doctors in that struggle.

Also Mirta Kaulard, a resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in Cuba, praised the 55 years of artistic life of Frank Fernandez, who currently has over 200 sound recordings and has won more than 200 national and worldwide awards, among which stand out: being the only Cuban "Steinway Artist", "Rafael Alberti" Prize, "Golden Prague", Order "Félix Varela First Degree", "National Prize of Music", "Master of Youth") Award and "Doctor Honoris Causa in Art".

The Maestro Fernández has been recognized by the public and critics from 38 countries, as a value of world music. His years of experience as a performer of almost all popular and classical genres, his contributions to piano pedagogy in Cuba, his compositions, orchestrations, research, musical productions and work as a cultural promoter reaffirm that.

As a guest conductor of the Orchestra "Solistas de La Habana" (Soloists of Havana) the famed pianist played the songs: La bella cubana by the Cuban composer Jose White, Adagio in G minor by Tomaso Albinoni, Celia (from the Cuban film Asalto al Amanecer), Tema de la Esperanza (from the film La Gran Rebelión), El Arreglo (film La Casa Colonial), Aria (suite in D major by Johann Sebastian Bach), Che and the Troubadour Song (Cuban documentary: When I think about Che) and Concerto No. 23 in A major, K.448 for Piano and Orchestra, Allegro / Adagio / Allegro assai by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

He also included other musical themes to the programmed repertoire, such as Alma con alma by Juan Márquez, La Comparsa by Ernesto Lecuona and Renacer. This last piece, accompanied, in one emotional duet, by his son, the oboist Ernesto Fernández Frank Neira.

The event was attended by several officials from the diplomatic corps residing in Cuba and prominent intellectuals and personalities of Cuban art. The adverse weather did not stop the crowded presence of spectators.

Regarding the concert Fernández said that when it comes to such an important organization he decided to offer a different interpretation to the usual. "I determined to direct the orchestra, which is a very complex thing to do, it's twice the harder ... but when finally the piece comes to life is one interpretive idea, the shared spirituality from tonight show between the other musicians and I was so homogeneous; that led a great communication with the audience, an enthusiasm that is only achieved when conductor and performer are one", said the pianist.

Frank Fernandez

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Frank Fernandez

Frank Fernandez

Mirta Kaulard