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Judi Lynn

(160,213 posts)
Sat May 16, 2015, 07:30 AM May 2015

For first time in years, major US orchestra performs in Cuba

Source: Associated Press

For first time in years, major US orchestra performs in Cuba
By BETH J. HARPAZ, Associated Press | May 14, 2015 | Updated: May 16, 2015 12:49am

HAVANA (AP) — The Minnesota Orchestra played to a sold-out house Friday night in the first performance in Cuba by a full professional U.S. orchestra since 1999, coming just months after the two Cold War rivals announced a thaw in relations.

Few of the visiting Americans speak Spanish, but "the universal language of music" was all they needed, said Mele Willis, the orchestra's artistic operations manager.

The performance at the 2,000-seat National Theater, which was broadcast live in Cuba and on Minnesota Public Radio, included famed Cuban pianist Frank Fernandez and the Cuban National Choir. Fernandez was presented with a bouquet, then pulled some of the flowers loose and handed them to a few of the Americans in the orchestra.

A thrilled crowded gave the concert a standing ovation. Omar Fernandez, a Cuban who works for a Canadian travel agency in Havana, attended with his wife and young son. "We love music. And this is very important," he said when asked why he came.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/world/article/For-first-time-in-years-major-US-orchestra-6265065.php

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longship

(40,416 posts)
2. Music truly is a universal language.
Sat May 16, 2015, 07:49 AM
May 2015

Here is some simple keyboard music written centuries ago that is so sublime...


it takes ones breath away.

However, the Minnesota Orchestra has a long history of musical excellence. Click the link if you doubt that. I cannot think of a better cultural representative of the US.

Plus, they are undoubtedly Minnesota nice.

 

djean111

(14,255 posts)
4. Thank you! And have you watched that wonderful (IMO, of course) movie, The Buena Vista Social Club?
Sat May 16, 2015, 08:25 AM
May 2015

A great documentary about bringing the Cuban band to Carnegie Hall, in 1998. A lot of great information about musicians in Cuba. One of my favorite movies/documentaries.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0186508/

Music is indeed the universal language.

cemaphonic

(4,138 posts)
14. That movie (and soundtrack) was so great
Sun May 17, 2015, 01:54 AM
May 2015

One of the most amazing lineups of legendary musicians since the dawn of recorded music.

Judi Lynn

(160,213 posts)
17. That documentary should be seen, it's wonderful!
Sun May 17, 2015, 05:51 AM
May 2015

[center]

Young Compay Segundo, Fidel Castro, wearing Compay Segundo's hat!
It was a tradition in later years for Compay to donate his famous hat to
a fund raiser for a Cuban children's hospital. It always brought in thousands
and thousands of dollars, in our currency terms.

[/center]
They were beloved world-wide, every where but here. We already had Roger Miller, "Dang Me," ourselves.

[center]
Omara Portuondo



Ibrahim Ferrer



Eliades Ochoa



Rubén González [/center]
Another, younger band, is Los Van Van, who appeared in Miami probably 15 years ago or more, where they attracted a hostile crowd of Cuban "exiles" who crowded around the auditorium, threw D cell batteries, frozen cans of Coca Cola, rocks, bags of excrement, not to mention filthy curses and spitting at concert goers as they tried to make their way inside.

It will be fantastic to see that crowd lose this war against Cubans.

mountain grammy

(26,568 posts)
5. The last time my husband left America was to go to Vietnam.
Sat May 16, 2015, 09:19 AM
May 2015

We travel around the US but I make foreign trips alone. He really wants to go to Cuba. Hooray, finally a stamp on his passport and a trip outside the US with my hubby. Next year, we hope.

Thanks for posting. We loved this story.

CatholicEdHead

(9,740 posts)
6. I heard it last night, it was really good
Sat May 16, 2015, 09:32 AM
May 2015

Classical Minnesota Public Radio broadcasts it locally and APM sends it across the country live. There is a second concert tonight at 7pm CT. Catch it if you can on your local public radio station or online at http://www.classicalmpr.org

HelenWheels

(2,284 posts)
7. Great Ambassadors
Sat May 16, 2015, 09:55 AM
May 2015

Events like this will serve to cement good relations between Cuba and the US. I hope the die hard Cubans in Florida see this.

The Velveteen Ocelot

(115,271 posts)
8. That's been front page news around here.
Sat May 16, 2015, 10:10 AM
May 2015

The orchestra is also giving workshops for kids, which are apparently a huge hit; and they are also getting some much-needed instrument parts for them (apparently there's a way to do this that doesn't violate the stupid-ass trade embargo). This is a great thing they are doing.

 

FairWinds

(1,717 posts)
9. The Cuban People Really Do Like Their Culture . .
Sat May 16, 2015, 10:17 AM
May 2015

One of Cuba's many charms is that many of them are
not motivated by the relentless pursuit of money,

and spend considerable time on other pursuits
such as culture.

They have many really talented dancers, musicians, athletes,
etc.

Judi Lynn

(160,213 posts)
19. There will be a lot more of these idiots haunting the Havana statue of John Lennon:
Sun May 17, 2015, 04:13 PM
May 2015

[center]









[/center]

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