Ernesto Lecuona: Malagueña, Arr. Jase Gooden, Re-arr. Jared Staten

Ernesto Lecuona, a prolific Cuban composer and pianist, remains one of the most significant figures in 20th-century Latin American music. Born in 1895, Lecuona's compositions blend Cuban folk music, classical forms, and popular styles, reflecting his cultural roots and musical versatility. "Malagueña" is one of his most famous compositions, originally part of the "Suite Andalucía" from the 1930s. It embodies the spirit of the malagueña, a traditional flamenco dance from southern Spain's Málaga region. The work captures Spanish folk music's essence with passionate melodies, rhythmic intricacies, and evocative harmonies, characterized by dramatic shifts in tempo and dynamics. The version played today was first arranged by Jase Gooden for ten trombones, and MCWO brass ensemble member Jared Staten further re-arranged this version for the current instrumental voicing.