During Camagüey’s Culture Week, I attended a concert in the José Marín Varona hall of this city. I was very surprised and at the same time satisfied, by the interpretation of various trova and danzón songs, brought to chamber format, by an orchestra of talented young musicians who averaged 24 years of age.

At the end of the concert and a after standing ovation, bypassing the rest of the public, I managed to reach the director of the MARBLY Chamber Orchestra. A young man with a curly ponytail, wearing a white suit and a smile of pride for the gift that they had just given to their beloved Camagüey.

His name is Adrián Cansino Rosell and the young group has only been around for a year and a half. It is made up of 8 musicians, mostly graduates of the José White Conservatory, who are divided into: a double bass, a viola and a cello, two primary violins, two secondary ones, and a guitar, which can alternate with other guest instruments.

Notes on Chamber Orchestras

I must comment that chamber orchestras are small-format groups, composed mainly of violins. They arose around the year 1750, for small rooms in royal palaces; but with the passage of time they varied their composition with violas and cellos, some with piano or guitar accompaniment, but their instruments are always stringed.

Beethoven, one of the most relevant musicians, composed 10 violin sonatas in this format, as well as 5 for cello, which are the model of scores most performed by his followers.

The performers, under the MARBLY style (name that brings together the initials of the names of its members) include various genres in their repertoire, adapted to the format they defend. An original way of some young people who came together to channel their creative concerns and play classical music, so lacking in the cultural panorama of the territory.

Adrian

The conductor, composer and arranger of the orchestra is the one who guides the rehearsals, selects the repertoire… while impregnating his consecrated and impetuous style, so that each performance moves the public.

This self-taught musician, at just 28 years old, has already delivered 12 calendars to the arts. He owes his professional evaluation to the Camagüey Folkloric Ballet, where he also works.

When I asked him about this challenge of directing an orchestra that had already been crowned by musicalizing live the work of the Contemporary Ballet with which that company celebrated its 20th anniversary, he told me that it was a general ambition of its members: friends united by a common desire, “Give your audience melodies of all times in a cultured and refined way”.

Their path has not been free of obstacles, but they have achieved great success in a short time. Now they are putting together a theme that they will present to the contest recently convened by the Office of the Historian, as part of the communication campaign for the 510th anniversary of the founding of the town. Thus a new song to my city is born.

The date

Those who with their lead make possible the execution of harmonious melodies, celebrate the International Day of the Conductor every July 13th, to honor the German maestro Carlos Kleiber, one of the great conductors of the 20th century, considered a forerunner of modern concert techniques.

With regard to the event, I introduced you in today’s chronicle to the Camagüey Chamber Orchestra MARBLY, and its young conductor Adrián Cansino, who with his bow tied around his neck and his guitar on his back, travels the city looking for new inspirations.

Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García