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In the centuries since the colonization of the New World, the people of Cuba created a strong musical tradition. Initially, their music mirrored the European composition canons of structural, melodic and harmonic order; however, the gradual confluence of the island s distinct cultural elements (European, African, and, to a lesser extent, Amerindian) led to the emergence of a new, distinctly Cuban musical aesthetic. This book examines the Cuban nationalist movement and its influence on the creation of art music by twentieth-century Cuban composers. Organized into three general sections, it defines nationalism and describes some relevant nationalist movements (with special attention to Cuba). It also provides a history of Cuban art music and a description of the characteristics of Cuban popular music. The work concludes with an in-depth examination of Cuban composer Mario Abril s Fantasía for clarinet and piano, whose use of folklore elements qualifies it as an example of Cuban nationalist art music.

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Dr. Nikolasa Tejero is Assistant Professor of Clarinet at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she continues her research on Latin American art music and teaches courses in theory, literature, and chamber music. She has presented and performed internationally at conferences and festivals as lecturer, recitalist, and concert soloist.

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