Yalil Guerra Soto

Yalil Guerra is a Cuban composer and guitarist.

Son of the well-known Cuban vocal duo Rosell y Cary, his first music studies took place at the National School of Music (ENA) in Havana, Cuba (1985-1991) with classical guitar professor and concert master Jorge Luis Zamora. He graduated as a classical guitar performer and teacher in 1991.

Guerra studied for two years at the Higher Institute of Art (ISA) and also studied classical guitar with Jesús Ortega, Joaquín Clerch, and Efraín Amador Piñero. Later, he moved to Spain and obtained a Master's degree in Classical Guitar at the Royal Conservatory of Music "Reina Sofía" in Madrid, Spain, with professor and concert master Gabriel Estarellas. He also graduated in Counterpoint and Fugue (1994-1998) with professors Daniel Vega and Mercedes Padilla Valencia. Guerra received composition classes from composer and professor Aurelio de la Vega, professor emeritus at California State University, Northridge, California.

At the age of 16, Guerra won the International Competition and Classical Guitar Festival in Kraków, Poland, as well as the Special Prize (1990), thus becoming the youngest Cuban awarded a prize in an international competition.

The following year he toured different Polish cities. He began his career as a producer, composer, and arranger in 1990, and has worked since then with many companies and industry professionals.

Currently he writes music for American television networks such as Univision, Telefutura, and Canal 41 Miami; music for shows such as: theme for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Viva el Sueño (2009), the Latin Grammy Awards (2005 to 2009), Premio lo Nuestro (2006 to 2010), Delantero (2005 and 2006), Escándalo TV, Tributo a nuestra música, Premios Juventud, etc. are among his credits.

He is producing and composing albums at his recording facility for artists such as Yamila Guerra and Rosell y Cary, in Burbank, California.

On November 15, 2012, Guerra won the Latin Grammy for Best Contemporary Classical Composition for his work "Seducción" (Elizabeth Rebozo-Live en LA) RYCY Productions, performed by pianist Elizabeth Rebozo, included in the album "Live in LA," produced by Guerra for RYCY Productions, Inc. Another song from the same album was also nominated in the same category: "Prelude No. 1" by Aurelio de la Vega.

In 2010, Guerra was nominated by the Latin Recording Academy in the Best Classical Album category, with his first album "Old Havana" Chamber Music Vol. I. 2010 Latin Grammy Awards # Classical Category.

Also this year, Guerra received the runner-up award from the Brandon Fradd Fraternity in musical composition sponsored by the Cintas Foundation and the Frost Art Museum of Florida International University 2010. Four award-winning compositions have been included in his new album titled "Habana Vieja" available on cdbaby.com.

In June 2011, his second album Old Havana Chamber Music Vol. II was released with music for chamber ensembles and soloists. This recording includes the following titles: Ab Imo Pectore (With All My Heart), for Piano Trio, performed by B3: Brouwer Trio; Sofía, for classical guitar, performed by Yalil Guerra; "La Rumba" for clarinet and string quartet, performed by Ralph Williams (clarinet), Pavel Farkas (violin 1), Coleen Coomber (violin 2), Nancy Roth (viola), Giovanna Moraga (cello) and conducted by Francisco Castillo; "Aché" (Luck), for flute and cello, performed by Lisette Pérez Esquenazi (flute) and Alejandro Rodríguez (cello); Suite "El Batey" and "Seducción" for piano, performed by Elizabeth Rebozo; "En Bellum Primum" (The First Going to War), performed by Salpy Kerkonian (flute) and Bryan Pezzone (piano) and "Guajira Blues," performed by Francisco Castillo (oboe), Pavel Farkas (violin 1), Nancy Roth (viola) and Kevan Toerf (cello).

From August to December, Guerra worked on this Univision project as producer, orchestrator, arranger, and sound engineer: the XII theme music for the "Latin Grammy Awards"; "Mira Quien Baila" (full season -2nd-); Despierta América promos and National Noticiero Univisión.

He also worked as vocal sound engineer for pop star Cristian Castro (Universal Music Group) on his album "Que Viva el Príncipe, Vol. 2," also touring with the artist as vocal sound producer and guitarist, 2011 tour. Guerra has worked with other international artists such as Celia Cruz, Rey Ruiz, Albita Rodríguez, Choco Orta, Issacc Delgado, Manolín "El Médico de la Salsa", Los Adolescentes, Yamila Guerra, and many more.

Guerra has composed for chamber ensembles and choirs, as well as for solo instruments. His classical works have premiered in the United States, Canada, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia, and Puerto Rico. A partial list of his works includes:

Sofia for Guitar (2007). This composition premiered at the Boston Court of Pasadena, on March 7, 2011. Included in the composer's album in 2011 "Old Havana Chamber Music Vol. II". The composer's first recording and premiered by Guerra on March 7, 2011 at the Boston Court Performing Arts Centre in Pasadena, California.
Suite Cubana (2008). World premiere by musicians of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra at the art exhibition "Cuba, Art and History from 1868 to Today," March 21, 2008 at the Museum of Fine Arts of Montreal, in Montreal, Canada. See the world premiere: I movement "Aire de Son", II movement "Aire de Cha-cha chá", III movement "Punto Guajiro", IV movement "Afro-Bolero-Rumba".
Clave for Strings and Percussion (2008). Work for string orchestra and Cuban percussion.
A la Antigua (2008). For string orchestra. Included in the album "Old Havana" Chamber Music Vol. I. Conducted by Natacha Prado. First violins: Desirée Justo and Augusto Diago. Second violins: Jessie de Armas and Yasney Rojano. Violas: Idalmis Ulloa and Roberto Herrera. Cellos: Alejandro Rodríguez and Salomé Pérez. Basses: Michel Toll and Francisco Valdez Pachi. Recorded by Mikel Barzagas. Mixed and mastered at RYCY Productions Inc. by Yalil Guerra. World premiere by the Corpus Christi Symphony, Texas at the concert "Viva las Americas," November 11, 2010. See the music video. Los Angeles premiere scheduled for May 6, 2012 by Brentwood Westwood Symphony, conducted by Diego Miralles.
De Congo y Carabalí (2009). For flute, clarinet, and bassoon. Recorded on the album "Old Havana" Chamber Music Vol. I. Katisse Buckingham (flute), John Tegmeyer (clarinet) and Ben Wendel (bassoon). Recorded, mixed, and mastered at RYCY Productions Inc. by Yalil Guerra (2008). Partial premiere by Susan Greenberg (flute), Amanda McIntosh (clarinet) and Carolyn Beck (bassoon) at the concert series "Pacific Palisades, Annenberg Community Beach House."
La Habana Vieja (2009). For string orchestra. Included in the album Old Havana Chamber Music Vol. I. Performed by Ensamble Solistas de la Habana. Recorded in July 2009. Conducted by Ivan Valiente. First violins: Mónica Betancourt (concertmaster), Ivon Rubio Padron and Alyoth Marichal Vastillo. Second violins: Juan Manuel Vásquez Pérez, Carmen María Vásquez Pérez and Alejandro Menéndez Suárez. Viola: Winnie Magaña Soler and Anolan González Rodríguez. Cello: Elis Regina Ramos and Isabel Cristina Pall. Basses: Susana Rivero Cangas. Recorded by Mikel Barzagas. Mixed and mastered at RYCY Productions Inc. by Yalil Guerra. Watch the music video. World premiere scheduled for April 29, 2012 by the Santa Cecilia Orchestra (Los Angeles) in the program "Latinos Clásicos," conducted by Sonia Marie Leon. Premiered in the city of Havana, September 8, 2012 by Ensamble Solistas de la Habana.
Aché for Flute and Cello (2009). For flute and cello. Premiered in Quito, Ecuador at the XIX International Flute Festival by flutist Lisette Pérez and cellist Gerhard Gerais. Premiered in the United States by Rachel Woolf (flute) and Bryan West (cello) at a concert organized by Synchromy. Recorded by Lisette Pérez (flute) and Alejandro Rodríguez (cello). Included in the composer's album in 2011 "Old Havana Chamber Music Vol. II."
Where is My Black Thick-Lipped One? (2009). For mixed choir. Included in the album "Old Havana" Chamber Music Vol. I. Conducted by Natacha Prado. Sopranos: Oderay Ortega and Nelia Molina. Altos: Claudia Aquino and Niurka Avila Leyva. Tenors: Abel Maceo and José Oniel. Basses: Arnoldo Rodríguez and Leonardo Amado Sarria. Recording engineer: Mikel Barzagas. Mixed and mastered at RYCY Productions Inc. by Yalil Guerra.
"Suite El Batey for Piano," in six movements (2009). Premiered by pianist Elizabeth Rebozo, November 7, 2009 in Calgary, Canada. Recorded by the artist on her album "One Culture, Two Visions," Cuban piano music from the 19th and 21st centuries. Included in the composer's album in 2011 "Old Havana Chamber Music Vol. II".
"Seducción for Piano" (2009). World premiere by pianist Elizabeth Rebozo, November 7, 2009 in Calgary, Canada. Recorded by the artist on her album One Culture, Two Visions of Cuban piano music from the 19th and 21st centuries. Included in the composer's album in 2011 "Old Havana Chamber Music Vol. II". United States premiere by Elena Casanova at the Pacific Union College piano concert, November 9, 2009. Latin American premiere by pianist Leonardo Gell at the "Serenata Cubana" concert series, September 24, 25 and 28, Costa Rica. Master Gell premiered this composition in Havana, Cuba on December 22, 2013 at the Ignacio Cervantes Concert Hall.
"A Mil Guerras Solo," String Quartet 1 (2009). Premiered on February 19, 2011 by the "Havana String Quartet" at the Church of San Nicolás (University of Göttingen), Göttingen, Germany. Also premiered in the United States by the Havana String Quartet at the Cervantes Institute, April 28, 2012.
"Son para Ana for Harp" (2009).
"Amazona Express for Guitar" (2009). World premiere by guitarist Ileana Matos at the concert "Divertimentos Tropicales," July 2, 2009 in Parma, Italy. Pan-American premiere by Miguel Bonachea. Premiered in the United States by guitarist Gerardo Pérez Capdevila, premiered in Spain by Ileana Matos. First recording by Jorge Luis Zamora on the album titled "Amazona Express," RYCY Productions Inc. (2012)
"La Guajira Natural" (2009). For soprano and guitar. First recording published on the composer's album: "Yalil Guerra: 30th Career Anniversary Album," performed by soprano Natasha Prado and guitarist Ernesto Varona.
"La Rumba for Clarinet and String Quartet." (2009) Premiered by the Baja California Orchestra, Tijuana, Mexico. Included in the composer's album in 2011 "Old Havana Chamber Music Vol. II".
"Carnaval for Brass Quintet" (2009). Included in the album "Old Havana" Chamber Music Vol. I. Michael McGuffey (lead trumpet), Marissa Benedict (second trumpet), Steven Durnin (French horn), Brad Close (trombone), Freed Greene (tuba), conducted by Francisco Castillo.
"Guajira Blues for Oboe, Violin, Viola and Cello." (2009) World premiere at the "Old Mill" in San Marino, California, by musicians of the California Philharmonic Orchestra. Francisco Castillo (Oboe), Pavel Farkas (Violin), Diane Gilbert (Viola), Pamela de Almeida (Cello). First recorded on the composer's album in 2011 "Old Havana Chamber Music Vol. II." The musicians who participated in the recording are: Francisco Castillo (oboe), Pavel Farkas (violin), Nancy Roth (viola) and Kevan Torfeh (cello).
"En Bellum Primum for Flute and Piano" (2009). Work dedicated to the great pianist Martha Marchena. The piece was premiered by Marchena and Lisa Hansen at the concert "Latin American Mosaic" on December 9, 2010 at Enlow Recital Hall, Kean University, New Jersey. A new recording by Marchena is in production. This work was included in the composer's album in 2011 "Old Havana Chamber Music Vol. II," recorded by flutist Salpy Kerkonian and pianist Bryan Pezzone. West Coast premiere by flutist and pianist Salpy Kerkonian Bryan Pezzone at the concert: Yalil Guerra: 30th Career Anniversary Concert at the Glendale Public Library, April 27, 2013.
"Terra Ignota for String Orchestra" (2009). For string orchestra. World premiere by Ensamble Solistas de la Habana, conducted by Iván Valiente at the XXVI International Festival of Contemporary Music of Havana, Cuba, November 28, 2013.
Ab Imo Pectore "With All My Heart" (2010). Premiered by B3: Brouwer Trio at the Nous Sons '10 festival at L'Auditori de Barcelona, ​​March 13, 2010. United States premiere at a concert organized by the National Association of American Composers (NACUSA) January 23, 2011. Lorenza Gamma (violin), David Speltz (cello) and Brian Pezzoni (piano) Recorded by B3: Brouwer Trio on the 2011 album "The Beautiful Cuban Woman," produced by Yalil Guerra. This composition was also included in the composer's 2011 album, Old Havana Chamber Music Vol. II.
Song Cycle for Soprano and Piano (5), (2010-2013). 1. "Love." World premiere by soprano Amanda Squitieri and pianist Bryan Pezzone at the concert: Yalil Guerra: 30th Career Anniversary Concert at the Glendale Public Library, April 27, 2013.
Three Cuban Pieces for Piano. 1. Echale Salsita. 2. Rosa Frívola. 3. Zapateado. World premiere by pianist Elizabeth Rebozo at the concert: Yalil Guerra: 30th Professional Anniversary Concert at the Glendale Public Library, April 27, 2013.
El Cucalambe (2012), for 10 instruments. Dedicated to Max Lifchitz and the North/South Chamber Orchestra, premiered in the Winter/Spring Concert Season 2012, Sunday February 19, 2012 at the Church of Christ and Saint Stephen, New York, NY.
"Homage to Aurelio de la Vega" (2012), for piano. World premiere by Elizabeth Rebozo at the concert "Cuban Music Meets Classical Piano," at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Pasadena, California, July 4, 2013.
"Toccata" (2013), for piano. World premiere by pianist Leonardo Gell in Havana, Cuba, on December 22, 2013 at the "Serenata Cubana" concert at the Ignacio Cervantes Concert Hall.