The only phonogram, from Ciego de Ávila, nominated for Cubadisco 2023, Rhapsody for my city, by Master Juan Carlos Corcho Vergara with the Provincial Concert Band, was presented this weekend at the headquarters of the Provincial Committee of the National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC) of Ciego de Avila.

Rhapsody para mi ciudad is the name of the phonographic material, which competes in the Anthology and Versions category along with four other proposals.

Miraima García Lacerra, musicologist at the Music and Entertainment Company, Musicávila, praised the significance of this effort as a musical testimony of a sociocultural process, produced by the Abdala label under the Presto label.

Adys Silva González, Commercial Manager of Abdala Productions, confirmed that the record's nomination itself is already a true award, at the same time he recognized Musicávila's efforts in rescuing musical heritage, which has allowed them to disseminate music that was in the music library and that it could not be used due to technological obsolescence.

She pointed out that thanks to this restoration work, the Studio has a recording of Pepita Embil Echaniz, singer and mother of the tenor Plácido Domingo, which is a treasure because it is from the 30s, 40s and 50s of the last century and it sounds good, although there are noises in the sound that must stay because they mark times.

She praised the province of Ciego de Avila for having a wonderful sound heritage, which shows that in this land the importance of preserving it for future generations is well known.

She considered it very positive that young people join the Corcho Vergara concerts, which is synonymous with reaching different audiences and all market niches, because all kinds of music are made.

In this regard, Corcho Vergara stated that it is necessary to invest in the preservation of local heritage, not to have it in a museum or win prizes, but because they constitute the weapons to defend values ​​against a war of identity that is waged against Cuba.

She declared that when it came to making the album they concentrated on transmitting that in Ciego de Ávila there is a band that plays and contributes to the culture.

Rhapsody for my city captures a period of the sound record of this group, founded in 1913, and one of the oldest in the province, which safeguards not only international repertoires, but also important Cuban composers, said the renowned musician from Ciego de Ávila.

Likewise -he said- his recordings, which include the different concerts of the band, are a tribute to all the musicians and directors who traveled this centenary path of creation and delight.

This album brings together iconic themes from the classical music repertoire such as Symphony number 41 Jupiter, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; Prometheus Overture, by Ludwig van Beethoven; The Wedding of Luis Alonso, by Gerónimo Giménez; Libertango, by Astor Piazzola, to more folkloric pieces such as the danzones La reina Isabel and Virgen de Regla.

Ciego de Ávila has been nominated in other editions of the Cubadisco International Festival thanks to the efforts of artists from its catalogue, including Rumbávila Fusión, Yoan Zamora, Guamá, and the Provincial Concert Band.