Concert Review from the 2017 Edinburgh, Scotland “Festival Fringe” – Concert Review – Soprano Ann Liebeck with Cuban pianist Marcos Madrigal

7 April 2017 2.30pm
St. Andrew’s and St. George’s West – Re: From Havana to Buenos Aires: Cuban Classics

****Stars

“Marcos Madrigal, Cuba’s most exciting young concert pianist, appears with opera singer Ann Liebeck in a programme of Latin American classical songs, opera arias and virtuoso piano music. They will perform art songs by Cuba’s answer to George Gershwin, Ernesto Lecuona, Xavier Montsalvatge, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Alberto Ginastera, Latin Grammy award-winner Yalil Guerra.The artists have performed at Purcell Room QEH, Holywell Music Room in Oxford,Vienna,Rome and Dublin National Concert Hall . Their new CD will be launched in Edinburgh.Online donations gratefully received for #SendaPianotoCuba goo.gl/DGvrnv”. —Festival Fringe

I was for most part drawn to the performance due to my interest in hearing Cuban classical compositions which are rarely heard outside of Cuba. Liebeck and Madrigal presented an engaging concert with repertoire centered on Cuban music authored by Cuban composers with Liebeck showcasing her experienced talent as a steady vocalist whose voice exhibited her understanding, empathy for and mastery of Cuban art songs with a strong presentation. Liebeck also displayed her passion for Cuban songs with passionate interpretations.

Madrigal, who lived up to advanced concert promotion, is indeed an exciting pianist whose solo work during the concert provided a far too brief glimpse into his athletic and skillful negotiation of the piano. I look forward to showcasing music from his CD Cuba: Lecuona Piano Works; Academy Productions, 2015 on Hg.

Distributed printed program notes with English translations of songs with Spanish lyrics would have benefitted the audience which was unfortunately modestly attended. Hopefully, more Cuban musicians will be attracted to the Festival Fringe in coming years. —Jonathan