Ernesto Lecuona

Ernesto Lecuona (August 6, 1896 - 1963) was a Cuban composer and performer, undoubtedly the greatest and most legendary Cuban musician of his time.

Related Topics:
August 6 - 1896 - 1963 - Cuba

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Lecuona was born in Guanabacoa, near Havana, Cuba on August 6, 1896. He started early studying piano under his sister Ernestina, then, at the Peyrellade Conservatoire under Antonio Saavedra and the famous Joaquin Nin. Lecuona graduated at the National Conservatory of Havana with a Gold Medal on interpretation when he was sixteen. And he performed outside of Cuba at the Aeolian Hall (New York) in 1916.

Related Topics:
Guanabacoa - Havana - Cuba - Piano - Peyrellade Conservatoire - Antonio Saavedra - Joaquin Nin - National Conservatory of Havana - Aeolian Hall - New York - 1916

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He composed at the same time zarzuela, Afro-Cuban and Cuban rhythms, suites and many songs which, to this day, are still very famous. They include "Siboney" (Canto Siboney) and "The Breeze and I" (Andalucía). In 1942, his great hit, "Always in My Heart" (Siempre en mi Corazon) was nomined for an Oscar for Best Song; however, it lost to "White Christmas."

Related Topics:
Zarzuela - 1942 - Oscar

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In 1960, thoroughly unhappy with Castro's new regime, Lecuona moved to Tampa. He died 3 years later at Santa Cruz de Tenerife and he is buried in Hawthorne, New York.

Related Topics:
1960 - Castro - Tampa - Santa Cruz de Tenerife - Hawthorne - New York

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