(Prensa Latina)
Havana, Cuba - Famous Cuban pianist and composer Jesús "Chucho"
Valdés, five-time
Grammy Award winner, received the annual Grand Theater of Havana Award for his
extraordinary contribution to national and universal music.
Attending the gala for the 46th anniversary of the Victory of the Revolution,
the director of the mythical band Irakere highlighted that the award makes him
feel more committed to continue developing his work and to deepen his knowledge
in piano even more.
Set up in 1985, the award has been granted to relevant figures of arts,
including Italian ballerina Carla Fracci, Spanish soprano Victoria de los
Angeles, and Argentinean pianist Daniel Barenboim.
The ceremony also announced the new artists, groups and events, inscribed in the
Book of Honor of Havana’s Grand Theater during 2004.
This time, the distinction went to three great figures of international ballet:
Marcia Haydee (Brazil), Carla Fracci (Italy), and Jean Babilee (France), guests
to the 19th Ballet Festival of Havana, also included in the list.
The concert by
Omara
Portuondo with the Orchestra Grand Theater (September 19);
Havana City’s historian Eusebio Leal and Cuban National Ballet (BNC) principals
Viengsay Valdes and Joel Carreño were also acknowledged.
They were joined by Australian orchestra conductor Richard Bonynge and seasoned
Cuban actress Maria de los Angeles Santana.
The introduction to the special show by the BNC was in charge of actor Jorge
Perugorria (Fresa y Chocolate, Lista de Espera), who read a message sent by
Alicia Alonso from Amsterdam, Holland.
The ‘prima ballerina assoluta’ wished the Cubans a happy new year and
highlighted the latest victories of Cuban culture in the world, including those
of the company she leads.
To close the show, the BNC performed a program including the premiere of the
choreography “El Combate,” by US choreographer William Dollar, fragments of the
classic “Nutcracker” and the original “Verbum,” Alonso´s personal vision on the
development of the human speech.
[Buy his CDs New Conceptions, Solo Piano, Briyumba Palo Congo, Fantasia Cubana: Variations on Classical Themes, Yemayá, Afrocubanismo Live!, Bele Bele en La Habana, Live at the Village Vanguard, Babalu Ayé, and Desafios (with Omara Portuondo, Solo: Live in New York ,Lucumí, Pianissimo, Unforgettable Boleros Live in Cuba Cuban Jazz Pianissimo Indestructible (Irakere), En Vivo (with Irakere and Ivan Lins), Invitacion, and Canciones Inéditas].
World Music Central
http://www.worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/20050106083742550