A survey of classical piano literature in Cuba & Brazil; the music of Cervantes, Lecuona and Nazareth

While North American audiences mostly associate classical music with European composers, 19th and 20th century Cuba and Brazil has widely contributed to the realm of classical music - although the repertoire seems to be virtually unknown by many. Several Cuban and Brazilian composers focused their efforts on writing piano pieces of which the mastery could benefit any contemporary pianist; the intricacy of the rhythm, the `feel' and the skills necessary to perform these pieces differ greatly from the traditional repertoire taught to North American students. This report will address three composers from Cuba and Brazil; Ignacio Cervantes, Ernesto Lecuona and Ernesto Nazareth. The recording on which this report is based features a variety of pieces, including danzas, concert repertoire, and arrangements. Such a recording aims to popularize repertoire that seems to elude concert halls in North America and is often overlooked by educational institutions in Los Angeles