'This is more than piano! I feel that Malaguen~a is more melodic and beautiful than my own Bolero', exclaimed Maurice Ravel on the encountering the music of the Cuban composer and pianist Ernesto Lecuona. Ernesto Lecuona y Casado was born in Guanabacoa, Cuba on 6th August 1895. His musical talent was discernible at three and a half years of age. Following initial piano studies with his older sister Ernestina, he continued at the Conservatorio Peyrellade with Antonio Saaverda and the famous Joaqui'n Ni'n. By the age of seventeen he had graduated from the National Conservatory of Havana with a gold medal in performance. Lecuona's first appearance as a pianist outside Cuba was in New York City in 1916. Lecuona left Cuba in 1960 and took up residence in Tampa, Florida. Three years later, on 29th November 1963, he died of a heart attack while on a trip to Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands. He is burried in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorn, N.Y. Lecuona wrote over 406 songs, 176 piano pieces, 53 theatre works, 31 orchestral scores, 6 compositions for piano and orchestra, 3 violin works, a trio, 5 ballets, 11 films scores and many arrangements. Malaguen~a is Lecuona's most famous work. There are many arrangements for guitar and the guitar version is more popular than the piano version. Malaguena - piano version Malaguena - guitar version Malaguena - Lecuona - Paco de Lucia Malaguena - Lecuona - Sabicas

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