Bach in Havana

Tiempo Libre (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 5, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: SONY CLASSICS
• ASIN: B001V732WY
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #83,107 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #64 in Music > World Music > Caribbean & Cuba > Cuba > Salsa

Editorial Reviews

Two-time Grammy®-nominated Tiempo Libre is one the hottest young Latin bands today. Equally at home in concert halls, jazz clubs and dance venues, the members of the Miami-based band are true modern heirs to the rich tradition of the music of their native Cuba.

Tiempo Libre's members were all classically trained at Cuba's premiere conservatories during a time when it was illegal to listen to American songs on the radio. Now, the group is a hit in the U.S. and abroad, celebrated for its incendiary, joyful performances of timba, an irresistible, dance-inducing mix of high-voltage Latin jazz and the seductive rhythms of son. It is their mission to proudly share their musical heritage through their concerts, workshops, master classes with as wide an audience as possible, reinterpreting and reinvigorating traditional Cuban music with a youthful, modern sound and forging a new style incorporating their Afro-Cuban roots and their new American experience.

Their debut CD for Sony Masterworks, BACH IN HAVANA, unites the two musical worlds of the Tiempo Libre's Cuban childhoods. The album connects the rhythm and sensibilities of Afro-Cuban music with the compositions of Johann Sebastian Bach and features special guest appearances by the legendary Paquito D'Rivera and Cuban-born sax player, Yosvany Terry.

Born from a land where cultures collide and worlds merge, the music of Cuba is mysterious and seductive, earthly and otherworldly, intoxicating and irresistible. Now with BACH IN HAVANA, Tiempo Libre's members continue to simultaneously walk in two distinct worlds and celebrate the universality of music.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars this group does the seemingly impossible task of mixing Bach with their incredible sound--BRAVO, TIEMPO LIBRE !!!, May 27, 2009

By 

Matthew G. Sherwin (last seen screaming at Amazon customer service) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Bach in Havana (Audio CD)

Tiempo Libre scores a big goal in my book with their latest album, "Bach in Havana." "Bach in Havana" features Tiempo Libre's expertise at adapting themselves and their musical style to just about any form of music; and I'm extremely impressed. What an album this is! It's far from being just classical music and it's not just Tiempo Libre--Tiempo Libre has pulls off the seemingly impossible feat of actually merging the two genres of music seamlessly; and the result is one heck of a CD! The quality of the sound on this album is excellent and I really like that artwork, too.

Whether I'm listening to "Tu Conga Bach" or a fine rendition of "Air on a G String;" I just never cease to be amazed, to say the least. I can't believe how creative they were to achieve this great an album--it's a treat for their fans. As always, Tiempo Libre plays their music spot on; they never skip a beat and the music reflects careful forethought and a level of professional craftsmanship that I rarely hear or enjoy from current artists these days.

Highlights of this album would have to include "Fuga (Cha-cha-chá) (Based on Sonata in D Minor, BWV 964, II. Fuga-Allegro)" which gets a most animated treatment; that piano is so elegant! The brass works wonders for this number, too. "Air on a G String (Bolero) (Based on Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068: II. Air on a G String)" stuns me with its beauty; this is a major highlight of this album and they deliver this with a smooth jazz sound that is perfect for kicking back and relaxing after a long, hard day at work with a glass of your favorite wine. Now THIS is perfection!

I also like the lively and engaging "Clave in C Minor (Guaguancó) (Based on Prelude No. 2 in C minor, BWV 847);" the piano work is sublime and mixed with the brass this number doesn't lack a thing--this is all that good. "Minuet in G" gets the royal treatment from these talented artists; and that's grand. There's yet another gem in "Baqueteo con Bajo (Danzón);" I really like the way this sounds--this is very high quality control music.

"Timbach (Timba) (Inspired by the D Major Prelude, The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1)" is very well done; and the album ends strong with Tiempo Libre performing "Kyrie (Batá) (Inspired by Mass in B Minor, BWV 232: I. Kyrie)." This sensitive arrangement leaves me wanting more!

After you hear this CD for the first time, don't be surprised if you find yourself hitting the "play" button on your CD player over and over again. Tiempo Libre came out with a flawless album that is a real treat for their fans; and people who enjoy true creativity with appreciate the music on this album.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very satisfying album, loved the piano work, November 25, 2010

By 

Ann Nguyen - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Bach in Havana (Audio CD)

Bach's chord walks are so rich and monumental that jazz musicians the world over have been tempted at some point to build on them. The difficulty lies in how to seamlessly blend and balance the classical and jazz forms. Too little improvisation results in a merely rearranged Bach piece. Too much improvisation overwhelms his beautiful and sometimes delicate structures. As such, there are many "just right" pieces in this CD, especially on the keyboard side. There are also a few misses, both in the too little and too much categories.
All in all, this is a infectiously fun and deeply satisfying CD.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Elegant and Odd, and completely original, April 2, 2010

By 

Marcos "salsero" (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bach in Havana (Audio CD)

There is good stuff to listen to in this album, however after a few listens I got a little bored of it. I really loved their 2 previously Grammy nominated albums, but this Baroque meets 21st century Cuba didn't quite hit home.

I know a lot of people are raving about how great it is, and certainly it is good. But it is more music for listening only as oppossed to the norm with Cuban music, which tends to be very danceable. The percussion is still playing a lot of Cuban rhythms, but the Piano does Bach instead of Guajeos and Montunos.

So if you are more into Jazz or Classical music this might be a good fit.