Yalil Guerra

Yalil Guerra (born in Havana, Cuba, April 27, 1973) is a Cuban composer and guitarist.

Studies

The son of the famous Cuban vocal duo Rosell y Cary, his first musical studies were conducted at the National School of Music (ENA) in Havana, Cuba (1985–1991) with classical guitar professor and concert master Jorge Luis Zamora. He graduated as a classical guitar performer and Professor in 1991.

Guerra studied two years at the "Instituto Superior de Arte" (I.S.A.) and also studied classical guitar with Jesús Ortega, Joaquin Clerch and Efraín Amador Piñero. Afeter some time he moved to Spain and obtained a master's degree in Classical Guitar at the Royal Conservatory of Music "Queen Sofía" in Madrid, Spain, with professor and concert master Gabriel Estarellas. He also graduated from Counterpoint and fuge (1994–1998) with professors Daniel Vega and Mercedes Padilla Valencia. Guerra received composition classes from composer and professor Aurelio de la Vega, Emeritus professor of the California State University, Northridge, California.

Biography

At the age of 16, Guerra won the International Competition & Festival of Classical Guitar in Krakow, Poland, as well as the Special Prize (1990), thus becoming the youngest Cuban ever awarded a prize in an international competition. The following year he made a through different Polish cities. He started his career as a producer, composer and arranger in 1990, and has worked since then with many industry companies and professionals.

Nowadays he writes music for US TV networks such as Univision, Telefutura and Canal 41 Miami; the music of shows such as: FIFA World Cup music theme 2010, Viva el Sueño (2009), the Latin Grammy Awards (2005 through 2009) [1], Premio lo Nuestro (2006 through 2010), Up front (2005 and 2006), Escándalo TV, Tributo a nuestra música, Premios Juventud, etc. are among his credits. He is producing and composing albums in his recording facility for artist such us Yamila Guerra and Rosell y Cary, in Burbank in California.

In November 15, 2012 Guerra won the Latin Grammy in the Best Classical Contemporary Composition for his work "Seducción" (Elizabeth Rebozo-Live in L.A.) RYCY Productions [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], performed by pianist Elizabeth Rebozo, included in the album "Live in L.A., produced by Guerra for RYCY Productions, Inc.. Another track from the same album was also nominee in the same category: the "Preludio Nº.1 by Aurelio de la Vega [8].

In 2010, Guerra was nominated by the Latin Recording Academy in the Best Classical Album category, with his first album "Old Havana" Chamber Music Vol. I. [9][10] Latin Grammy Awards of 2010#Classical Field

Also this year, Guerra was awarded Runner-up by the Brandon Fradd Fellowship in music composition sponsored by the Cintas Foundation and the Frost Art Museum of Florida International University 2010. [11] [12] Four awarded compositions have been included on his new album entitled "Old Havana" available at cdbaby.com. [13] For more information visit the News section.

In June 2011, his second album Old Havana Chamber Music Vol. II [14] was released with music for chamber ensembles and soloists. This recording includes the following titles: Ab Imo Pectore (With all my heart), for Piano trio, performed by the B3:Brouwer Trio; Sofía, for classical guitar, performed by Yalil Guerra; "La Rumba" for Clarinet and String Quartet, performed by Ralph Williams (clarinet), Pavel Farkas (violin 1), Coleen Coomber (violin 2), Nancy Roth (viola), Giovanna Moraga (cello) and conducted by Francisco Castillo; "Aché" (Good Luck), for flute and cello, performed by Lisette Pérez Esquenazi (flute) and Alejandro Rodríguez (cello); Suite "El Batey" and "Seducción" for piano, performed by Elizabeth Rebozo; "In Bellum Primum" (The first going to war), performed by Salpy Kerkonian (flute) and Bryan Pezzone (piano) and "Guajira Blues", performed by Francisco Castillo (oboe), Pavel Farkas (violin 1), Nancy Roth (viola) and Kevan Toerf (cello).

From August to December, Guerra worked in this Univision projects as producer, orchestrator, arranger and sound engineer: The XII "Latin Grammy Awards" music theme; "Mira Quien Baila" (full season -2nd-); Despierta América promos and National Noticiero Univisión.

He also worked as a vocal sound engineer for pop star Cristian Castro (Universal Music Group) in his album "Que Viva el Principe, Vol. 2", also touring with the artist as a vocal sound producer and guitarist, 2011 tour. Guerra has worked with other international artist such us Celia Cruz, Rey Ruiz, Albita Rodriguez, Choco Orta, Issacc Delgado, Manolin "El Medico de la Salsa", Los Adolescentes, Yamila Guerra and many more .

Work

Guerra has composed for chamber and choral ensembles, as well as for solo instruments. His classical works has been premiered in the United States, Canada, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia and Puerto Rico. A partial list of his works include:

• Sofia for Guitar (2007). This composition was premiered at the Boston Court of Pasadena, March 7, 2011 [1]. Included in the composer's 2011 album "Old Havana Chamber Music Vol. II" [2] [3]. First recording by the composer and premiered by Guerra in March 7, 2011 at the Boston Court Performing Arts Center in Pasadena, California
• Suite Cubana (2008). World premiered by musicians of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra at the Art exposition "Cuba, Art and History from 1868 to today", March 21, 2008 at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, in Montreal, Canada. [4] Watch the World Premiere: I movement "Aire de Son" [5], II movement "Aire de Cha-cha chá" [6], III movement "Punto Guajiro" [7], IV movement "Afro-Bolero-Rumba". [8]
• Clave for Strings and Percussion (2008). Work for String Orchestra and Cuban percussion.
• A la Antigua (2008). For String Orchestra. Included in the album "Old Havana" Chamber Music Vol. I [9]. Conducted by Natacha Prado. First violins: Desirée Justo and Augusto Diago. Second violins: Jessie de Armas and Yasney Rojano. Violas: Idalmis Ulloa and Roberto Herrera. Cellos: Alejandro Rodríguez and Salomé Pérez. Basses: Michel Toll and Francisco Valdez Pachi. Recorded by Mikel Barzagas. Mixed and mastered at RYCY Productions Inc. by Yalil Guerra. World Premiere by the Corpus Christi Symphony, Texas at the concert "Viva las Americas", November 11, 2010.[10] [11] Watch the music video [12]. Los Angeles premiere schedule for May 6, 2012 by the Brentwood Westwood Symphony, conducted by Diego Miralles [13]
• De Congo y Carabalí (2009). For Flute, Clarinet and Bassoon. Recorded in the album "Old Havana" Chamber Music Vol. I. Katisse Buckingham (flute), John Tegmeyer (clarinet) and Ben Wendel (basson). Recorded, mixed and mastered at RYCY Productions Inc. by Yalil Guerra (2008). Partial premiere by Susan Greenberg (flute), Amanda McIntosh (clarinet) and Carolyn Beck (bassoon) at the concert series "Pacific Palisades, Annenberg Community Beach House. Watch the rehearsal video here: [14].
• Old Havana (2009). For String Orchestra. Included in the album Old Havana Chamber Music Vol. I. Performed by Ensamble Solistas de la Habana. Recorded July, 2009. Conducted by Ivan Valiente. First violins: Mónica Betancourt (concertino), Ivon Rubio Padron and Alyoth Marichal Vastillo. Second violins: Juan Manuel Vásquez Pérez, Carmen María Vásquez Pérez and Alejandro Menéndez Suarez. Viola: Winnie Magaña Soler and Anolan González Rodríguez. Cello: Elis Regina Ramos and Isabel Cristina Pall. Basses: Susana Rivero Cangas. Recorded by Mikel Barzagas. Mixed and mastered at RYCY Productions Inc. by Yalil Guerra. Watch the music video. [15]. World Premiere schedule for April 29, 2012 by the Santa Cecilia Orchestra (Los Angeles) in the program "Latinos Clásicos", conducted by Sonia Marie Leon [16]. Premiered in Havana city, September 8, 2012 by Ensamble Solistas de la Habana [17][18].
• Aché for Flute and Cello (2009). For flute and cello. Premiered in Quito, Ecuador at the XIX International Flute Festival by flutist Lisette Pérez and cellist Gerhard Gerais. View the press release and photo gallery of the premiere. [19] Premiered in the United States by Rachel Woolf (flute) and Bryan West (cello) in a concert organized by Synchromy [20]. Recorded by Lisette Pérez (flute) and Alejandro Rodríguez (cello). Included in the composer's 2011 album "Old Havana Chamber Music Vol. II" [21] [22].
• ¿Donde está mi negro bembón? (2009). For mixed choir. Included in the album "Old Havana" Chamber Music Vol. I. Conducted by Natacha Prado. Sopranos: Oderay Ortega and Nelia Molina. Contraltos: Claudia Aquino and Niurka Avila Leyva. Tenors: Abel Maceo and José Oniel. Basses: Arnoldo Rodríguez and Leonardo Amado Sarria. Recorded Engineer: Mikel Barzagas. Mixed and mastered at RYCY Productions Inc. by Yalil Guerra. [23]
• "Suite El Batey for Piano", in six movements (2009). Premiered by pianist Elizabeth Rebozo, November 7, 2009 in Calgary, Canada. [24] Recorded by the artist in her album "One Culture, two visions" Cuban piano music from the XIX and XXI Century. [25] Watch the music videos of the Suite: 1. El Tostao. [26] 2. El Dulcero. [27] 3. El Wititio Dormio. [28] 4. El Saltarin. [29] 5. La Criollita. [30] 6. El Babalao. [31] (2009). Included in the composer's 2011 album "Old Havana Chamber Music Vol. II" [32] [33].
• "Seducción for Piano" (2009). World premiere by pianist Elizabeth Rebozo, November 7, 2009 in Calgary, Canada. [34] Recorded by the artist in her album One Culture, two visions Cuban piano music from the XIX and XXI Century. [35] [36]. Included in the composer's 2011 album "Old Havana Chamber Music Vol. II" [37] [38]. United States premiere by Elena Casanova at the Pacific Union College piano concert, November 9, 2009 [39]. Latin American premiere by pianist Leonardo Gell in the concert series "Serenata Cubana", September 24, 25 and 28th, Costa Rica [40]. Maestro Gell premiered this composition in Havana, Cuba on December 22, 2013 at the Ignacio Cervantes concert hall [41].
• "A Mil Guerras Solo", String Quartet 1 (2009). Premiered in February 19, 2011 by the "Cuarteto de Cuerdas de la Habana" at the San Nicolas Church (Göttingen University), Göttingen, Germany. [42]. Also premiered in the United States by the Havana String Quartet at the Instituto Cervantes, April 28, 2012. [43], [44]
• "Son para Ana for Harp" (2009).
• "Amazona Express for Guitar" (2009). World premiered by guitarist Ileana Matos at the concert "Divertimentos Tropicales", July 2, 2009 in Parma, Italy. [45], Pan American premiere by Miguel Bonachea [46] Premiered in the United States of America by guitarist Gerardo Perez Capdevila [47], Spain premiere by Ileana Matos. [48]. First recording by Jorge Luis Zamora in the album titled "Amazona Express", RYCY Productions Inc. (2012) [49]
• "La Guajira Natural" (2009). For soprano and guitar. First recording published in the composer's album: "Yalil Guerra: 30th Career Anniversary Album" [50], performed by soprano Natasha Prado and guitarist Ernesto Varona.
• "La Rumba for Clarinet and String Quartet". (2009) Premiered by Orquesta de Baja California, Tijuana, Mexico. [51] [52] Score and parts available at independentmusiccomposers.com. Included in the composer's 2011 album "Old Havana Chamber Music Vol. II" [53] [54].
• "Carnaval for Brass Quintet" (2009). Included in the album "Old Havana" Chamber Music Vol. I. [55] [56] Michael McGuffey (Lead Trumpet), Marissa Benedict (second Trumpet), Steven Durnin (French Horn), Brad Close (Trombone), Freed Greene (Tuba), conducted by Francisco Castillo.
• "Guajira Blues for Oboe, Violin, Viola and Cello". (2009) World premiere at the "Old Mill" in San Marino, California by musicians of the California Philharmonic Orchestra. [57] Francisco Castillo (Oboe), Pavel Farkas (Violin), Diane Gilbert (Viola), Pamela de Almeida (Cello) [58]. First recorded in the composer's 2011 album "Old Havana Chamber Music Vol. II". The musicians that participated in the recording are: Francisco Castillo (oboe), Pavel Farkas (violin), Nancy Roth (viola) and Kevan Torfeh (cello).
• "In Bellum Primum for Flute and Piano" (2009). Work dedicated to the great pianist Martha Marchena. The piece was premiered by Marchena and Lisa Hansen at the concert "Latin American Mosaic" December 9, 2010 at the Enlow Recital Hall, Kean University, New Jersey. View the program of the concert [59], watch the world premiere video: [60]. A new recording of Marchena's is in production now. This work was Included in the composer's 2011 album "Old Havana Chamber Music Vol. II", recorded by the flutist Salpy Kerkonian and the pianist Bryan Pezzone. [61] [62]. West Coast premiere by flutist Salpy Kerkonian and pianist Bryan Pezzone at the concert: Yalil Guerra: 30th Career Anniversary Concert at the Glendale Public Library, April 27, 2013. Photos of the event: [63]. Watch the videos of the world premiere here: [64]
• "Terra Ignota for String Orchestra" (2009). For String orchestra. World Premiere by Ensamble Solistas de la Habana, conducted by Iván Valiente at the XXVI International Contemporary Music Festival of Havana, Cuba, November 28, 2013. This live performance was published in iTunes here: Terra Ignota ("Unknown Land"). [65]. Listen to the recording here: [66]
• Ab Imo Pectore "Con todo mi corazón" (2010). Premiered by the B3: Brouwer Trio at the Nous Sons' 10 festival, at L'Auditori of Barcelona, March 13, 2010. [67] [68] [69] Premiere in the United States in a concert organized by the National Composers Association USA (NACUSA) January 23, 2011. Lorenza Gamma (violin), David Speltz (cello) and Brian Pezzoni (piano) [70] Recorded by the B3: Brouwer Trio in the 2011 album "The Beautiful Cuban Woman", produced by Yalil Guerra. [71] [72]. This composition was also included in the composer's 2011 album Old Havana Chamber Music Vol. II. [73] [74]
• Ciclo de Canciones for Soprano and Piano (5), (2010-2013). 1. "Amor". World Premiere by soprano Amanda Squitieri and pianist Bryan Pezzone at the concert: Yalil Guerra: 30th Career Anniversary Concert at the Glendale Public Library, April 27, 2013. Photos of the event: [75]
• Tres Piezas Cubanas para piano. 1. Echale Salsita. 2. Rosa Frívola. 3. Zapateado. World Premiere by pianist Elizabeth Rebozo at the concert: Yalil Guerra: 30th Career Anniversary Concert at the Glendale Public Library, April 27, 2013. Photos of the event: [76]. Watch the videos of the world premiere here: 1. "Echale Salsita" [77]; 2. "Rosa Frívola" [78]; 3."Zapateado" [79].
• El Cucalambe (2012), for 10 instruments. Dedicated to Max Lifchitz and the North/South Chamber Orchestra, premiered at the Winter/Spring 2012 Concert Season, Sunday Feb. 19, 2012 at the Christ & St Stephen's Church, New York, NY. [80] Watch the video of the world premiere: [81]
• "Homenaje a Aurelio de la Vega" (2012), for piano. World premiere by Elizabeth Rebozo at the concert "Cuban Music Meets the Classical Piano", at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Pasadena, California, July 4, 2013. Check the concert information page here: [82]
• "Tocata" (2013), for piano. World premiere by pianist Leonardo Gell in Havana, Cuba, December 22, 2013 at the concert "Serenata Cubana" at the Ignacio Cervantes concert hall. Find more about the concert: [83]