54 years ago marked the first celebration of what is now known as Hispanic Heritage Month. Running from September 15 to October 15, around the independence day anniversaries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, Chile, and Belize, Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic people and groups to the world. In celebration of Hispanic culture, we’re highlighting some of the artists with whom we’ve had the pleasure of working.
Listen to the full playlist on your favorite streaming platform today.
Cuatro Pièzas Españolas
Manuel De Falla
Manuel de Falla (1876-1946) is considered the most distinguished Spanish composer of the early 20th century. In his music he achieved a fusion of poetry, asceticism, and ardor that represents the spirit of Spain at its purest. On IMPRESSIONS OF SPAIN, The Great Necks Guitar Trio brings to life de Falla’s piece Cuatro Pièzas Españolas, a four movement work evoking the soul of Spain through rhythm, melodic lines, and characteristic ornaments.
“My principal idea was to express musically the soul and the atmosphere of each of the regions indicated by their respective titles.”
Composer Manuel de Falla
El País Invisible
Miguel Zenón
El País Invisible “happened by accident,” says composer Miguel Zenón, like it was “almost meant to be.” Serendipitously, the project developed when Zenón was wrestling with critical questions about Puerto Rico’s status as a nation, a culture, and an identity. The piece was released in July 2022 as the first single of saxophonist José A. Zayas Cabán’s upcoming Navona Records release.
Two Moods: Dusk & Carnaval II: Carnaval
Liova Bueno
Two Moods: Dusk & Carnaval was inspired by fond nostalgia of times spent in the Dominican Republic countryside during composer Liova Bueno’s youth. “Carnaval” harnesses the energy of the festivities that would start after darkness fell: the town band playing música de la linea (traditional Dominican big band merengue tunes), and everyone dancing in a joyous, uninhibited whirl.
“I feel lucky to have experienced this part of Dominican culture before so many changes began in the country, and these types of musical moments began to fade away… Imprinted on my musical psyche, they are a strong influence on me to this day.”
Composer Liova Bueno
Sones Y Flores
Eduardo Martín
Born in Havana on October 16, 1956, Eduardo Martín is an internationally recognized guitarist and composer. On ILUSIÓN Y VERDAD from Ansonica Records, Cuban guitarist Ahmed Dickinson Cárdenas and Maltese flutist Fiorella Camilleri perform a number of Martín’s works including Sones Y Flores, a piece that musically simulates the evolution of Cuba’s most famous musical genre, the son montuno.
