Frank Fernández and a night of good music for Cuban scientists

September 10, 2022

The recital, which was already anticipated as a gift and tribute to the 35th anniversary of the founding of the Centro de InmunoEnsayo on the island, did not disappoint and the performer's promise made during rehearsals was fulfilled last night thanks to his innate virtuosity and union with talented musicians.

The fingers of his left hand brushed the keys and from there emerged the first melodies that paid homage to the mother trova with Perla Marina and Mujer Bayamesa, both authored by Sindo Garay and become jewels of Cuban songwriting.

Then Fernández took a leap and the Polish composer Frédéric Chopin arrived at the instrument through versions of the sad waltz, of love and of the minute that form part of the iconic repertoire of one of the most important composers in history and Romanticism.

The bolero also had its reserved moment in the voice of mechanical engineer constructor Julio César Frandin González, an amateur vocalist whom the National Music Prize for a lifetime of work had the good judgment to invite to sing two classics of the genre: Amor por ti and Pensamiento.

The musical event continued with the piano as protagonist at the rhythm of the Afro-Cuban dance La comparsa by Ernesto Lecuona and Rabo de Nube by Silvio Rodríguez and then made way for cellist Alina Neyra and violinist Lisbet Sevila who accompanied the maestro in the performance of pieces of his own composition.

Later came the very Cuban dances La camagüeyana, Los delirios de rositas and Los muñecos by the sublime Ignacio Cervantes that brought together four hands the ingenuity of Frank and that of his daughter and pianist Liana María Fernández.

Up to that point the forecast of good music was already a fact, but the show had other surprises in store that arrived with the entrance of flautist Niurka González and the Retorna by Garay as if she were fulfilling the wishes of her song.

With her came also La meditación de Thais by the Frenchman Jules Massenet and the Havana premiere of a special version made for flute and piano, as Fernández announced just before performing it.

The drama of love from Lucio Contreras' estate was revived on the stage of the emblematic theater when the duo brought the chords of Tierra Brava, a theme of great popularity among Cubans that immediately caused commotion in the audience upon recognizing it.

Before saying goodbye the pianist invited Cuban-American violinist Jaime Jorge and together in perfect synchrony they gave two works that were absolute evidence of the terms of admiration and respect given to both musicians following their presentations in the most diverse forums in the world.

Congratulations to the scientists who continue helping Cuba and humanity with such worthy and devoted work, said Frank Fernández before bringing to a close the evening that he sealed with all the guests on the stage and a chorus in the seats singing together Quiéreme mucho.