Puerto Rican singer/songwriter Danny Rivera gave a concern at the Karl Marx Theater in Havana yesterday to make the end of Cubadisco 2009, Cuba’s record fair and contest, which this year paid tribute to the 70th anniversary of foundation of the Aragón Orchestra, the 100th birth anniversary of Barbarito Diez, and the 90th of Benny More. He was accompanied by Cuba’s National Symphony Orchestra, with Cuban pianist Frank Fernández, considered one of the best Cuban pianist of all times, and singer Omara Portuondo. He was accompanied in some of the pieces by the vocal group Novel Voz,and the National Children’s Choir. Rivera performed songs from his own repertoire plus a number of songs by Puerto Rican composer Rafael Hernández. Hernández (1892-1965) composed over 2,000 songs, some of them among the most beloved song in Puerto Rico, like “Preciosa,” ‘Lamento Borincano,” “El Cumbanchero,” “Campanitas de Cristal,” and “Cachita.”
The closing gala awarded Frank Fernández with the Cubadisco 2009 Phonographic Producer prize, and Danny Rivera with the Award of Honor.
Next year’s festival will be dedicated to country music and to all the improvisers of the world.
