Cuban Symphony Orchestra Celebrates the 120th Anniversary of Alejo Carpentier’s Birth

In honor of the 120th anniversary of Cuban novelist Alejo Carpentier’s birth, the National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba will present a special concert this Sunday, December 15, at the Covarrubias Hall of the National Theater of Cuba.

Under the baton of maestro Igor Corcuera, deputy conductor of the nation’s leading symphonic ensemble, the program will feature three dances from Suite Andalucía by Cuban composer Ernesto Lecuona; Fantasia for Saxophone and Small Orchestra by Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos; and Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Opus 68, by German composer and pianist Johannes Brahms.

This Sunday’s guest soloist, performing at 11:00 a.m., is saxophonist Aliet González Errasti. A 2010 graduate of the University of the Arts of Cuba, González Errasti earned his degree with Gold Honors.

His academic credentials include two master’s degrees: one in Historical and Documentary Heritage Management of Music from the University of Havana (2017), and another in Music, Education, and Society from Enrique José Varona Pedagogical University (2023).

González Errasti has garnered accolades in competitions such as Musicalia and JoJazz. As a soloist, he has performed with notable ensembles, including the Havana Chamber Orchestra, the National Concert Band, and the Cuban National Symphony Orchestra.

In collaboration with pianist María del Henar Navarro, he co-founded the Dúo Brillance. Alongside his performance career, González Errasti also serves as a faculty member at various institutions in Havana.

This concert promises to be a remarkable celebration of Alejo Carpentier’s enduring legacy, blending Cuban musical heritage with international masterpieces in a fitting tribute to one of Cuba’s literary giants.

Translated by Luis E. Amador Dominguez