This album features the second volume of The Complete Piano Music of Ernesto Lecuona, performed by Thomas Tirino. Lecuona, often called "The Cuban Gershwin," was one of Cuba’s most influential musicians, known for blending classical, popular, and folk elements into his compositions.
The recording includes Rapsodia Argentina for piano and orchestra, a lively and virtuosic work inspired by Argentine tango traditions, orchestrated for this performance by Michael Bartos. Also featured is Diary of a Child, a suite of five charming and descriptive pieces portraying scenes from childhood, filled with playful energy and lyrical expressiveness. Other highlights include Crisantemo, one of Lecuona’s most famous waltzes, and works such as Cuba and America and Black Cat, which showcase his gift for melody and rhythmic invention.
This collection celebrates Lecuona’s remarkable ability to capture the spirit of Latin American music, offering a glimpse into his lesser-known yet equally masterful piano compositions.
