Havana, Cuba. – Many Cuban composers have upheld our sovereignty from their own creation trench.
Historical developments, such as the attack to Playa Giron (Bay of Pigs), the war in Angola, or other events where people showed their rebellious and solidarity spirit before imperialistic threat have become lyrics and melody.
Andres Pedroso, leader of the emblematic band Manguare, dialogued exclusively with Radio Cadena Habana to share some of his experiences as an indispensable author in Cuban music.
Which was the first patriotic theme you composed for the band that you lead?
“Being in Manguare, the first political theme that I wrote was very popular. It is titled "El pitirre y el aura." I was inspired by diverse provocations perpetrated by Yankee imperialism against our Homeland at the beginning of the Revolution. Then I wrote another song in which I addressed what was happening then at Guantanamo naval base, Cuban territory illegally occupied by the United States.”
As time went by, new events prompted you to write themes of great popular acceptance. One of them was our country’s solidary contribution to peace in Angola.
“Yes, I went there as part of a brigade that took art to our troops serving in the African nation. In those months, our sensibility was quite frayed. Estrangement from the family, homesickness and human contradictions before the war made messages of admiration for Cuban soldiers’ courage and dignity sprout from deep down inside. They spilled their blood for a noble cause, just like others had previously done here, on the sands of Playa Giron (Bay of Pigs).”
Andres Pedroso, creator of many songs highly acclaimed for their poetry and flavor, holds his Homeland in that essential place.
“Of course I do. When I was born, my family’s life was as hard as what most of this humble people had in those years. We grew almost without any aspiration, but the triumph of January 1 1959 changed everything. My children and grandchildren have a secured present and future. How wouldn't I rush to the forefront when duty calls to defend this sovereignty?
You have won quite a few prizes for themes very much remembered by generations of men and women of this Island. Could you mention some?
“The first of those prize-winner songs was rendered by the great troubadour Sara Gonzalez in the Adolfo Guzman contest of Cuban Television. It is titled "Tonada y Filin para un caminante” (Tune and Feeling for a walker). Later on, I participated in several editions of that contest and my success harvest as a composer grew.”
One of those laurels became anthological. How did the song “Junto a mi fusil, mi son” (My rifle, next to my Son) come to you?
“I remember it was a time when former president of the United States, Ronald Reagan, voiced a war threat against the former Soviet Union in one of his speeches. The fact had an impact on the peace of our nation. I was far away from my country and my loved ones. I was overwhelmed by grief in light of a possible attack against Cuban sovereignty. No regrettable event happened, but I expressed my feelings as a citizen committed to my Homeland. That was what the people also wanted to express.”
The piece became a resounding hit
“Yes, I won the Great Prize in Adolfo Guzman Contest with that theme, sung by the unequaled Omara Portuondo. In the song, I described the different groups that make up Cuban society. I mentioned children, women, workers in general and militiamen, which we all are, people in uniform to uphold our dignity.”
The theme became a hymn.
“It has really become a hymn. When I go to countries like Venezuela and Nicaragua, where they know the theme: “Junto a mi fusil, mi son”, they always ask me for it.”
Translated by Pedro A. Fanego
