Poet Olga Lidia Perez describes “Tantas vidas” (Ediciones Cubanas ARTEX, 2014, 376 pp) as a book of essences, an expedition to the creative and human world of a foremost troubadour. Liuba Maria Hevia is one of the most important Cuban contemporary composers and the above-mentioned songbook covers three decades of creative exercise.
The lyrics of over 80 songs – many unpublished - created by the composer through her prolific artistic career, are grouped in this volume. It also includes scores for guitar of some of these works that, due to their scope and relevance, already belong to the best catalog of the Island’s music.
“Tantas vidas” is not, however, a songbook in the conventional sense of the term. Iranidis (Iris) Fundora’s accomplished inner and cover design is complemented and enriched by other materials. They allow those who venture into reading its pages to discover, through renewed glances, the mark that Liuba Maria Hevia has already left in the Cuban culture of this time and times to come.
One may find in this book extensive information on the artist’s discography; a collection of pictures that mark essential moments of her personal and professional life; diverse reviews on her work and a singular "dialogue" that Roxana Fuentes weaves with scattered opinions about the author of "Si me falta tu sonrisa.”
“Tantas vidas” is accompanied by a CD, in which Liuba Maria Hevia sings a dozen of her best-known songs, including "Tu amor es el canto mio", "Angel y Habanera" and "Con los hilos de la luna." Actress Veronica Lynn recites poems of Ada Elba Perez; who, by the way, is paid a well-deserved and posthumous tribute in one of the book sections.
"It seemed rather than fair and necessary, indispensable", the singer writes in the chapter titled "Dueños de mi fe” - to dedicate a space in this book to Ada Elba Perez. “Yet, I find it hard to define this thirty-years-old girl, friend, poet, troubadour, ceramicist, journalist, plastic arts coach, and "bewildered peasant girl" as she once defined herself.”
Liuba Maria Hevia (Havana 1964) has already composed hundred songs of diverse genres, like Son, Guajira, Habanera, guaracha… for adults, children and youngsters. In addition, she has successfully taken her art to countless stages in the Island and overseas.
Poetess Carilda Oliver, winner of the National Literature Award, has said “Liuba Maria Hevia has the virtue of turning words into songs.” Reading “Tantas Vidas” shows how this woman, who lives, dreams, loves and sings passionately, has managed, with imagination, talent, mastery and art to turn words into songs.
Translated by Pedro A. Fanego
