Danzas Afro-Cubanas, No. 6: La Comparsa (Carnival Procession)

The Cuban composer and pianist Ernesto Lecuona (1896-1963) wrote many works labelled as “Afro-Cuban,” and sorting them all can be difficult. While some are lost and others are scattered about, the 1930 piano suite titled Danzas Afro-Cubanas, a collection of six of the dances, remains a core group in the style. La Comparsa (Carnival Procession) is the sixth dance in the suite, and it is based on the traditional parade and ceremony that occurs during Carnival season in Cuba. This composition starts with the gradual approach of the procession and carries one through all the excitement until the last faint notes of the departing parade die away in the distance. This version for full orchestra has been arranged by Morton Gould (1913-1996). Instrumentation: 2.2.3+BCl.2: 3Sax(AAT; opt.): 2.3.3.1: Perc(1-2): Hp.Clst.Gtr: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set): Pno Cond Score in set.