Tribute to Brazilian Musician Gismonti in Havana

The National Culture Distinction, an award conferred by the Republic of Cuba, was imposed on Brazilian musician Egberto Gismonti, confirmed on Friday the Office of Leo Brouwer.

"Only in Gismonti, the great Brazilian spirit of Camargo Guarnieri or Heitor Villalobos from the first half of the twentieth century, is kept alive. That is why I consider this award very fair", stated Brouwer, referring to the South American pianist, guitarist, flutist and cellist.

Brouwer, an internationally renowned composer and author of The Eternal Spiral, expressed satisfaction over the presence of the composer and performer in the second edition of the Chamber Music Festival that bears his name.

During a concert in Guarnieri’s honor, he receivde from Ciro Benemelis, president of Cubadisco, the Honor Award for life achievement in discography, awarded by that international fair.

In that night's concert, on the lower basilica of San Francisco de Asis, La Habana Vieja, Victor Pellegrini, Marcelo de la Puebla, Miguel Trápaga and Ali Jorge Arango along with the String Quartet of Havana premiered in Cuba "Gismontiana", for four guitars and orchestra, by Brouwer, in the 2010 version.