Hilda Paredes (1957)

Recordando a Celia (2003)

educational piece for piano

  • General information
    • Composition date: 2003
    • Duration: 3 mn
    • Publisher: Boosey & Hawkes, coll. Salsa Nueva
    • Commission: Elena Riu et Dartington Summer School
    • Dedication: Elena Riu
Detailed formation
  • piano

Premiere information

  • Date: July 2003
    Location:

    Royaume-Uni, Dartington Summer school.


Program note

Recordando a Celia was written as a reply to Elena Riu’s request for her Book of Salsa. It was written in the summer of 2003 at the time when Celia Cruz - the Queen of Salsa of all times- died in New York.

As well as having been written for Elena’s special abilities and artistry, this piece is also a small tribute to Celia Cruz.

In Recordando a Celia I attempt to use the wide palette of colours offered by the piano, including the option of preparing some of the lower strings, which introduce a percussive sound quality. The sound of plucking the strings directly inside the piano offers the possibility of having a chromatic glissando, which is not possible while playing only the keyboard. The music to be play inside the piano always makes a reference to Celia Cruz.
Recordando a Celia is especially dedicated to Elena Riu.

Hilda Paredes.