Bach to Cuba

Music

SyNOPSIS

Emilio Aragón conducts the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra (performing the classical part) together with three Cuban percussionists and Alain Pérez on the double bass. The challenge is to integrate Afro-Cuban rhythms into a classical context such as the Brandenburg concerts, for which Alain Pérez replaces the Bach basso continuo, typical of the Baroque, with the Cuban tumbao bassoon, giving adequate space for percussion, such as the guaguancó, conga, danzón, contradanza, son, bolero… and which could feel comfortable around violins.

DIRECTOR’S REFLECTIONS

“Musical projects that fuse different styles often respond to different concerns and needs. For me, Bach to Cuba has meant the opportunity to bring my own ambition into play, nourished throughout all these years by the contrast of a classical musical formation of an academic and disciplinary nature, and by my roots of deep Caribbean origins.”

  • GENRE: Music / Afro-Cuban
  • DURATION: 42 min.
  • LANGUAGE: Spanish
  • YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2006
  • RECORD LABEL: Deutsche Grammophon

DETAILS

Composer
Johann Sebastian Bach

Director
Emilio Aragón

Interpret
Orquesta Sinfónica de Tenerife

Arrangements
Alain Pérez y Emilio Aragón

Collaboration
Alain Pérez

Track list

  • Brandenburg Concerto No.3 (1st Mvt.)
  • Brandenburg Concerto No.5 (1st Mvt.)
  • Ouverture No.3 BWV 1068 (Air)
  • Ouverture No.2 BWV 1067 (Badinerie)
  • Brandenburg Concerto No.3 (3rd Mvt.)
  • Brandenburg Concerto No.5 (3rd Mvt.)
  • Brandenburg Concerto No.4 (1st Mvt.)
  • Ouverture No.2 BWV 1067 (Rondeau)
  • Brandenburg Concerto No.4 (3rd Mvt.)
  • Ouverture No.3 BWV 1068 (Gavotte)