Tribute Concert to Pablo Milanés

February 13, 2025

As part of the Festival de las Estrellas, which will feature artists such as Café Quijano, Sole Giménez, Juan Valderrama and Puma Rodríguez among others, the Movistar Arena in Madrid, in its entirety, was moved, pulsed, vibrated and was stirred at the tribute concert to the immortal artist Pablo Milanés, which bore the title Eternamente Pablo.

The venue completely darkened. The center of the stage gradually illuminates and upon it an empty chair is seen. Pablo's voice sings "Proposiciones" and a deafening applause from the audience upon concluding the introduction makes the memory, remembrance and work of the most universal Cuban artist present itself in the thousands of hearts gathered on a magical night. The band, directed by pianist Miguel Núñez, begins to play while images of the eternal Caribbean poet are projected on the enormous screens of the sports palace.

The moving event was hosted by actor and friend of Pablo, Juan Echanove, who, when inaugurating the tribute concert, paid tribute to Pablo with some moving words. I am convinced that the spirit, soul and heart of Pablo Milanés was with us at all times, observing from the olympus of artists, that place where they rest and continue writing to delight the gods of music, as so many friends, family and followers honored his creative legacy.

The cast of illustrious guests is inaugurated with Andrés Suárez performing "Si ella me faltara alguna vez" accompanied by the full band, Marwan sings "El primer amor", Ara Malikian and his violin magically perform "Los días de gloria", Martirio and Raúl Rodríguez on guitar interpret the verses set to music by Pablo from José Martí, "Yo soy un hombre sincero".

Lynn Milanés, daughter of the Cuban composer, is the ideologist of this necessary project for culture, memory and the history of music. She, along with the band, deploy all their talent to make the sound pristine, clean and perfectly equalized. Worth noting are the acoustic panels in the percussion section that allow all instruments together (guitar, voices, brass section, piano, etc.) to sound spectacular.

They continue honoring the artist, singing and reviewing his repertoire, with guests of the caliber of Javier Ruibal who performs "Te quiero porque te quiero", Víctor Manuel delights the audience with "Amor", Pasión Vega performs "Canción (de que callada manera)", Salvador Sobral intones "La felicidad", Luis and Pedro Pastor perform "Comienzo y final de una verde mañana", Luis Represas interprets "Años" and Estrella Morente accompanied by Peruvian cajon and Spanish guitar moves with "Ya ves". Previously, a video with a meaningful message from Silvio Rodríguez could be enjoyed. Gathered and united by the bond of love for the person and work of Pablo Milanés, thousands of hearts beat in unison.

An apotheotic evening that is already written and reflected on the golden pages of the book of universal music history. But this did not cease and friends continued with the tribute to the illustrious poet who touched so many souls, and continues to do so, with his work. Illustrious such as José Mercé who performs "El breve espacio", Lynn Milanés sings with a voice cracked by emotion, love and remembrance of her dad a moving version, which they performed together so many times in life, of "A tu lado" with the band, Miguel Ríos performs "Yo no te pido" and a video is projected on the enormous screens where Joaquín Sabina, moved, remembers his "brother" Pablo Milanés, tells how they composed together "La Magdalena" and apologizes for not being able to be there physically due to work commitments.

Also worth noting is the respectful silence throughout the concert by the audience who did not want to miss a detail. One of the most moving moments of the tribute is when Juan Echanove has affectionate words for singer Massiel, who could not be present and from the console Pablo's voice is released, accompanied by piano, so that everyone could enjoy "Para vivir". Upon its conclusion, a thunderous applause made the foundations of the Madrid venue tremble.

There are moments when human beings have the duty and need to pay tribute to those who have enriched us artistically, but if we add to that a staging with carefully crafted visuals that reflect paintings with the face of the protagonist, additional lights on the stage floor to create an intimate and familiar atmosphere and photos from various stages of the life of the Cuban composer, we obtain a legendary tribute worthy of the work and life of Pablo Milanés. Congratulations to the entire staff.

Pablo Milanés embodies the word converted into poetry, sounds transformed into music and song into the immortal. I am convinced that there is still no term that can be at the level, approved by the RAE, to define his spectacular legacy. It occurs to me simply, PABLO.

All together they seal a sublime closing, with the image of the protagonist of the evening presiding over the final song, all the guests with the musicians placed in a row, who find it difficult not to turn to contemplate Pablo on the main screen, they sing the immortal anthem "Yolanda" accompanied by thousands of souls gathered on a historic night in Madrid. Upon finishing, an eternal applause reaches the illuminated chair of the poet placed forever in the olympus of artists.