Title
Danzón Cubano
For
orchestra
Scoring
2.picc.2.corA.2.bcl.2.dbn-4.3.3.1-timp.perc(5):xyl/cowbell/cyms/ claves/guiro/maracas/tpl.bl/wdbl/whip/BD/SD-pft-strings
ARCO Number(s)
50-A
Category
Orchestral
Duration
6'
Premiere
  • World: Baltimore, February 17th, 1946 (Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, cond. Reginald Stewart)
Publisher
Boosey & Hawkes
Publishing Status
Published
Year Orchestrated
1946

Program Note

Along with El Salón México, Danzón Cubano, based on Latin American folk tunes, became a model for composers using Latin American materials. Based on the danzón, a stately Cuban dance, Danzón Cubano is in two contrasting sections. Copland wrote, "I did not attempt to reproduce an authentic Cuban sound but felt free to add my own touches of displaced accents and unexpected silent beats." The original version for two pianos has been superseded in popularity by the composer's orchestral arrangement which employs Cuban rhythms played by an interesting battery of percussion.

Author
Vivian Perlis
Year
1998