Alejandro A. Téllez - Latin American Piano Music (2023) Hi-Res

Alejandro A. Téllez Vargas performs a diverse selection of Latin American piano music, encompassing both well-known compositions and overlooked pieces.

By carefully curating works from Mexican and Cuban composers, Téllez presents pieces that have gained recognition within Mexico but remain unfamiliar to the English-speaking world. The elusive nature of this repertoire can be attributed to its limited exposure outside Latin American countries, where the composers and their music are primarily known, including pieces that Téllez has personally learned from unpublished manuscripts.

Within this captivating collection of 15 pieces, listeners will easily recognise the historical influences of European composition, intertwined with the vibrant rhythms of Mexico and Cuba. Some of the chosen works, originally performed alongside premieres of European compositions, create a harmonious juxtaposition that originally allowed audiences to experience the likes of Castro and Schumann in a single concert setting. Although some contemporary pianists have gradually incorporated a few of these pieces into their repertoire, the majority of these musical compositions remain largely unknown. Fortunately, the accompanying CD booklet provides a thorough and enlightening history of the repertoire.

Téllez deserves recognition not only for his performances of these works but also for his remarkable effort in introducing these rich musical pieces to audiences beyond the borders of Latin American countries.