La Comparsa from Cuerdas Cubanas by Toomai String Quintet

Composed by Ernesto Lecuona (1896–1963)
Arranged by Andrew Roitstein

“La Comparsa” is a musical depiction of a dancing carnival procession. Lecuona evokes this festive scene through his performance instructions: the music begins very quietly (pianissimo) as if the parade is heard far off in the distance; as the celebration approaches the listener, the dynamics grow louder (fortissimo); the last moments of of the piece decrescendo to almost nothing as the carnival dances away. “La Comparsa” is part of Lecuona’s suite for piano, Danzas Afro-cubanas. This movement is so frequently performed that it is almost a rite of passage for any interpreter of Cuban music.

Personal Note from Andrew Roitstein:
I grew up listening to my Cuban grandmother, pianist Rosalina Guerrero Sackstein, play and teach “La Comparsa” in her home in Miami. She kept Lecuona’s piano tradition alive with both her family and students. When we perform “La Comparsa” for young people in schools, we hope to continue this legacy in our own way—by helping our listeners create their own movements to dance along with the rhythms of Lecuona’s carnival parade!

Listen to Lecuona play “La Comparsa” on the piano: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqOUBNkGvR8

Explore other recordings:
--Bebo and Chucho Valdés: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enblfWLM4n0
--Las Hermanas Márquez and Paquito D’Rivera: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jolJHcHUs7s
--Xavier Cugat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKIQHILcJfU
--Eliades Ochoa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DfLGe_YxMM

The Toomai String Quintet​ is an ensemble devoted to playing a variety of musical styles from around the world and
illuminating them through interactive concerts. The award-winning group has been engaging
audiences across the US for over a decade, performing concerts and workshops in collaboration with
presenters such as Carnegie Hall, Midori and Friends, 92nd Street Y, and The Juilliard School.

toomaiquintet.com