In this interview, KTEP's Charlize Mercado sits down with UTEP graduate student Lauren Martinez to talk about her second Master of Music in Piano Performance degree recital Siempre en mi corazón: The Life, Works, and Inspirations of the “Cuban Gershwin” Ernesto Lecuona.

This lecture recital explores the life of Cuban pianist and composer, Ernesto Lecuona, as told through the music he and his contemporaries composed. A recital that has been five years in the making, Lauren Martinez will be presenting original research she has conducted throughout her graduate studies. Performing a total of 18 pieces, Lauren will be showcasing some of her own original arrangements and transcriptions of Lecuona’s music in addition to a premiere of Lecuona’s Rapsodia negra, arranged for two pianos.

The lecture recital will take place Friday, April 26th at 7:30 p.m. in UTEP’s Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall.

Originally aired on April 24, 2024

LINK TO AUDIO INTERVIEW: Siempre en mi corazón: The Life, Works, and Inspirations of Ernesto Lecuona (ktep.org)