Elena Casanova was born in Cuba and received her early training on the piano in her homeland. As a young girl, she was accepted into the prestigious Alejandro Garcia Caturla Music Conservatory in Havana. Her parents later moved to the United States, where Ms. Casanova received her degree in piano performance at the University of Redlands. She also studied at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and Pacific Union College. Ms. Casanova maintains a varied career performing as an accompanist in master classes, recitals, musical productions and competitions. All of this is very interesting, but it would not have mattered much if this had been a mediocre recording – and it is definitely not that.
Ms. Casanova has a passion for the music of her native country, and it shows in her playing. For this collection, she has chosen the music of four classical Cuban composers: Ignacio Cervantes (1847-1905), Ernesto Lecuona (1896-1963), Manuel Saumell (1817-1870), and René Touzet (1916-2003). Before listening to this recording, I did not know the music of these composers; but I now share this performer’s interest and will consciously look for more examples of their music. Ms. Casanova’s web site says that she was fascinated by the piano at an early age. This CD makes me feel the same way about this music. I also want to know more about the pianist who held my interest throughout this wonderfully enjoyable recording. Her joyful playing gives me a renewed sense of wonder about the unique sound of an acoustical instrument that is sometimes viewed as just an ancestor to the synthesizer.
Listening to this recording made me happy from the first note to the last. The music is rhythmic, joyful, exuberant, and beautiful. The playing is fluid and exciting. The sound quality is very clear, immediate and full without being too much for the ears. This recording sounds wonderful whether played on a good sound system, through my computer speakers, or on my iPod. Audiophiles may regard my last statement as sacrilege; but for me, the test of a well-engineered recording is whether the sound holds up under many different conditions and acoustical limitations. Most of all, this music (and the artistry with which it was played by Ms. Casanova) made me want to smile, to dance, to help celebrate the rich heritage of the four Cuban composers whose music was showcased here.
Tracklist: Zapateo Cubano, La Trece, Recordando al Maestro, Dancita No. 1, Dancita No. 2, Dancita No. 3, Siempre en Clave, Cervantina, Picotazos, Los Tres Golpes, Ilusiones Perdidas, Los Ojos de Pepa, El Pañuelo de Pepa!, Tu Sonrisa, ¿Pero Por qué?, Malagueña, Andalucía, La Comparsa, Danza Lucumí, En Tres por Cuatro, No Hables Más.
– Ann Stahmer
