Danzas Afro-Cubanas, No. 5: Danza Lucumi Cover Image

Danzas Afro-Cubanas, No. 5: Danza Lucumi: Full Orchestra, Condensed Score

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Danzas Afro-Cubanas, No. 5: Danza Lucumi Cover Image
Danzas Afro-Cubanas, No. 5: Danza Lucumi: Full Orchestra, Condensed Score

Danzas Afro-Cubanas, No. 5: Danza Lucumi: Full Orchestra, Condensed Score

By Ernesto Lecuona / arr. Felix Guenther

Item: 36-A645799
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Danzas Afro-Cubanas, No. 5: Danza Lucumi: Full Orchestra, Conductor Score & Parts

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Description
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. The fifth dance in the suite, Danza Lucumí, is upbeat with a bit a strong rhythmic pulse. This version for full orchestra has been arranged by Felix Guenther (1886-1951). Instrumentation: 2(2nd dPicc).2.2.2: 3Sax(AAT): 4.3.3.1: Perc(2-4): Hp: Str (3 Vn pts[6-6-5-]-7-6-5): PF Cond in set.

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Additional Details
Series: Kalmus Symphonic Pops
Publisher: Keiser Productions, Inc.
ISBN10: 8-88-852777-X
ISBN13: 979-8-88-852777-1
UPC: 659359505300
SKU: 36-A645799
Instrumentation: 2(2nd dPicc).2.2.2: 3Sax(AAT): 4.3.3.1: Perc(2-4): Hp: Str (3 Vn pts[6-6-5-]-7-6-5): PF Cond in set

More about this title

About the Composer: Ernesto Lecuona

Ernesto Lecuona (1896-1963) was a Cuban composer and pianist whose career spanned composition, performance, and film work throughout the twentieth century. His Afro-Cuban compositions, particularly the Danzas Afro-Cubanas suite, drew from the rhythmic and melodic traditions of Cuban music and became central to his legacy as a voice in Latin American concert music.

Lecuona's gift was for writing music that felt both sophisticated and viscerally rhythmic. The Danzas Afro-Cubanas works remain staples in orchestral pops programming because they balance accessibility with genuine musical substance, offering conductors a way to program music rooted in Cuban tradition without sacrificing orchestral color or ensemble challenge.

Why we love this

Danza Lucumí brings infectious rhythmic energy to a full orchestra context without demanding extended technical fireworks from every section. Felix Guenther's orchestration opens the piece to larger ensembles while preserving the dance's essential character, making it a reliable choice for conductors seeking material that engages both players and audiences.

What to expect

Propulsive and rhythmically alive, with the warm colors of harp and saxophone threading through a full orchestral backdrop. The piece moves with forward momentum and celebratory spirit, grounded in the syncopated pulse that defines Afro-Cuban dance traditions.

Who it's for

Conductors leading intermediate to advanced amateur or professional orchestras who want accessible, energetic repertoire with genuine musical substance. This condensed score works especially well for programs that want to feature Cuban music or Latin American composition without duplicating more commonly programmed works.

How to get the most out of it

  • Lock the rhythmic foundation early in rehearsal. The piece depends on coordination between percussion and the lower strings/brass, so establish that groove before layering in melodic material.
  • Bring clarity to the saxophone writing. The AAT saxophone section carries significant melodic responsibility in this arrangement; isolate those parts and balance them so they cut through the ensemble without dominating.
  • Shape the harp part with intentionality. Even in a full orchestra, the harp's rhythmic and harmonic contributions define much of the piece's character; it should never disappear into the texture.
  • Honor the tempo and resist the urge to rush. The upbeat character can tempt faster tempos, but the strong rhythmic pulse works best when the conductor maintains steady control and lets the orchestration breathe.

How to use it

Program this as part of a pops or family concert where you want to expand beyond European classical tradition. It pairs naturally with other Latin American orchestral works or serves as an energizing closer to a concert that includes more contemplative material. The upbeat character and accessibility also make it suitable for outdoor summer orchestra series.

Skills your students will build

  • Coordinating syncopated rhythms across multiple sections
  • Reading and balancing music written for expanded instrumentation (including saxophone and harp in an orchestral context)
  • Responding to dance rhythms and maintaining ensemble pulse under varying textures
  • Playing with stylistic awareness of Afro-Cuban musical traditions

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