updated 28 February 2022
© Michael Provost

Tania León

Cuban composer, conductor, and educator; naturalized American, born 14 May 1943 in Havana.

Born in Cuba to parents of French, African, Chinese, and Spanish descent, Tania León began studying music at the age of four, before training in piano at the Amadeo Roldan Conservatory in Havana. She became pianist and musical director for a Cuban television channel. In 1967, she applied for the “Freedom Flights” program, allowing her to leave for the United States. She then obtained a scholarship at the New York College of Music.

In 1969, while substituting for a friend as a piano accompanist for dance lessons, she was noticed by the dancer Arthur Mitchell, who employed her as musical director at his new project, the Dance Theater of Harlem. She remained there until 1980. She worked with Jerome Robbins and George Balanchine at the Dance Theater, with Mitchell encouraging her to improvise, and then write, for him. In 1970, she composed her first piece, Tones, a ballet for orchestra. Mitchell also pushed her to conduct for the first time, for a Julliard Orchestra performance in Italy. On her return to the United States, she began studying orchestra direction with conductors Leonard Bernstein and Seiji Ozawa, among others.

In these first years of composition, León produced large ballets with ensembles rich in percussion, influenced by the serial techniques in vogue at the time. Examples include The Beloved (1972), Haiku (1973), and Belé (1981). After her first return to Cuba in 1979, León became interested in polyrhythm, particularly the Cuban clave rhythm, which works “as a sort of metronomic system layered in independent binary and ternary lines.” Still interested in combining composition and movement, she began to use the rhythm of her father’s gait as inspiration, thus making her first turn toward her Cuban roots. Her pieces Batà (1985) for orchestra; Inura (2009), a ballet for voice, strings, and percussion, evoking Yoruba rituals; and A la Par (1986), a Guaguancó rumba for piano and percussion, also indicate Cuban influence.

In 1994, her opera, Scourge of Hyacinths (1994), based on a play by Nigerian playwright Wole Soyinka and commissioned by Hans Werner Henze for the Munich Biennale, was performed on twenty occasions in Europe and Mexico, winning the BMW Prize. During this period, German conductor Kurt Masur granted León the position of New Music Advisor at the New York Philharmonic, a position that she also held for music from Latin America for the American Composers Orchestra. A Professor at Brooklyn College since 1985, she was made Professor Emeritus at City University of New York in 2006. She then became artistic ambassador of American culture in Madrid and joined the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 2010. The same year, she founded the Composers Now Festival in New York, of which she is currently director.

León’s works are published by Peer Music Classical.

Awards

  • New York Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Symphony Space’s Access to the Arts Award
  • American Academy of Arts and Letters Award
  • Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Musical Composition, 2012
  • ASCAP Victor Herbert Award 2013
  • Mad Women Festival Award in Music, Madrid

© Ircam-Centre Pompidou, 2020

Sources

New York Times, Fanfare.

  • Solo (excluding voice)
  • Chamber music
    • stage The Beloved ballet for ensemble (1972), 10 mn, Peer Music
    • stage Haiku ballet for flute, bassoon and percussion (1973), 25 mn, Peer Music
    • stage Dougla ballet for two flutes and percussion (1974), 20 mn, Peer Music
    • stage Maggie Magalita accompanying music of the piece of the same name, for small ensemble (1980), 25 mn, Peer Music
    • Pet's Suite for flute and piano (1980), 20 mn, Peer Music
    • Permutation Seven for ensemble (1981), 15 mn, Peer Music
    • A La Par for piano and percussionist (1986), 13 mn 30 s, Peer Music
    • Elegia a Paul Robeson for violin, cello and piano (1987)
    • Parajota Delaté for flute, clarinet, violin, cello and piano (1988, 1990), 4 mn 30 s, Peer Music
    • Parajota Delaté version for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and piano (1988, 1990), 4 mn 30 s, Peer Music
    • Ajiaco for electric guitar and piano (1992), 7 mn
    • Arenas d'un Tiempo for clarinet, cello and piano (1992), 12 mn, Peer Music
    • Son Sonora for flute and guitar (1994), 15 mn, Peer Music
    • Tau for electric oboe, electric bass and electric keyboard (1995)
    • De Color for violin and marimba (1996-1997), 15 mn, Peer Music
    • Saóko for brass quintet (1997), 9 mn, Peer Music
    • Entre nos for clarinet, bassoon and piano (1998), 12 mn, Peer Music
    • Caracol for violin, viola, cello, percussionist and piano (2000), 7 mn 30 s
    • De Memorias for flute, oboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon (2000), 9 mn, Peer Music
    • Satiné for two pianos (2000), 7 mn, Peer Music
    • Toque for ensemble (2006), 8 mn, Peer Music
    • Alma for flute and piano (2007), 7 mn
    • Tiempo en Clave for violin and percussion (2008), 6 mn
    • Esencia para cuarteto de cuerdas (2009), 18 mn, Peer Music
    • Cuarteto n°2 for string quartet (2011), 20 mn, Peer Music
    • String Quartet n°2 (2011)
    • À Tres Voces for string trio (2012), 12 mn 30 s, Peer Music
    • del Caribe, Soy! for flute and piano (2014), 10 mn, Peer Music
    • Ethos for piano and string quartet (2014), 12 mn, Peer Music
    • One Mo' Time for flute, clarinet, violin, cello and piano (2016), 6 mn, Peer Music
    • Pinceladas for bassoon and piano (2016), 10 mn, Peer Music
  • Instrumental ensemble music
    • Cumba Cumbakin for large ensemble ()
    • stage Tones ballet for orchestra (1970), 18 mn, Peer Music
    • stage Belé ballet for piano, percussion and strings (1981), 15 mn
    • stage The Golden Windows play in three acts, for small ensemble (1982), 30 mn, Peer Music
    • Ascend for four horns, four trumpets, three trombones, tuba, three percussionists (1983), 3 mn, Peer Music
    • Batá for orchestra (1988, 1985), 7 mn, Peer Music
    • Carabalí for orchestra (1991), 17 mn, Peer Music
    • Indígena for ensemble (1991), 8 mn, Peer Music
    • Crossings for horn, four trumpets, four trombones and tuba (1992), 60 s
    • sin normas ajenas for ensemble (1994), 12 mn, Peer Music
    • Hechizos for ensemble (1995), 15 mn
    • Drummin' for large group (1997), 60 mn, Peer Music
    • Horizons for orchestra (1999), 10 mn, Peer Music
    • Alegre for wind ensemble and four percussionists (2000), 3 mn
    • Fanfarria for four trumpets, two trombones, bass trombone and percussionist (2000), 3 mn
    • Desde... for orchestra (2001), 18 mn, Peer Music
    • Ácana for orchestra (2008), 13 mn, Peer Music
    • Origenes for brass ensemble (2012)
    • Ser for orchestra (2017), 13 mn, Peer Music
    • Stride for orchestra (2020), 15 mn, Peer Music
  • Concertant music
  • Vocal music and instrument(s)
    • Namiac Poems for voice and mixed ensemble (1975)
    • Spiritual Suite for narrator, two sopranos, choir and amplified ensemble (1976)
    • Pueblo Mulato three songs based on poems by Nicolás Guillén, for soprano, oboe, guitar, double bass, percussion and piano (1987), 12 mn, Peer Music
    • Heart of Ours - A Piece for tenor, male choir, flute, four trumpets and two percussionists (1988), 8 mn
    • Journey for high voice, flute and harp (1990), 6 mn, Peer Music
    • To and Fro four songs to poems by Alison Knowles, for medium voice and piano (1990), 8 mn 30 s, Peer Music
    • stage Scourge of Hyacinths opera in two acts (1994, 1999), 1 h 30 mn, Peer Music
    • “Or like a...” for baritone, cello and percussion (1994), 15 mn
    • Seven Spirituals for baritone and orchestra (1995), 20 mn
    • Singin' Sepia five songs on poems by Rita Dove, for soprano, clarinet, violin and piano four hands (1996), 12 mn, Peer Music
    • May the Road Be Free for children's choir and percussionist (1999), 4 mn
    • Ivo, Ivo for soprano, clarinet, bass clarinet, viola, cello and double bass (2000), 5 mn, Peer Music
    • Turning song cycle for soprano, piano and cello (2000), 13 mn
    • Canto song cycle for baritone, clarinet, marimba, cello and piano (2001), 15 mn
    • Love after Love for soprano and marimba (2002), 9 mn
    • Duende for baritone, 3 batás and five percussionists (2003), 18 mn
    • Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel for baritone and orchestra (2005), 3 mn
    • Samarkand for narrator, mixed choir, children's choir and ensemble (2005), 60 mn
    • Metisse for mixed choir and percussionist (2006)
    • Reflections for soprano and ensemble (2006), 15 mn
    • Reflections for soprano and ensemble (2006)
    • Atwood Songs for soprano and piano (2007), 8 mn, Peer Music
    • Raices (Tabla Raza) for voice, tabla soloist and ensemble (2007)
    • Ancient for two sopranos, flute, clarinet, percussion, viola and cello (2008)
    • stage Inura ballet for voices, strings and percussion (2009), 40 mn, Peer Music
    • Mi Amor Es for baritone and piano (2015), 4 mn 30 s
  • A cappella vocal music
    • Drume Negrita from Two Cuban Songs, for twelve solo voices (), 3 mn, Peer Music
    • El Manisero from Two Cuban Songs, for twelve solo voices (), 3 mn, Peer Music
    • De-Orishas for two sopranos, countertenor, two tenors and bass (1982), 11 mn, Peer Music
    • Batéy for two sopranos, countertenor, two tenors and bass (1989), 30 mn, Peer Music
    • Sol de Doce for twelve solo voices (1997), 7 mn, Peer Music
    • Rezos for mixed choir (2001), 12 mn
    • A Row of Buttons for women's choir (2002), 4 mn
    • Estampas for mixed choir (2008), 6 mn
    • Rimas Tropicales for girls choir (2011), 9 mn, Peer Music
  • Unspecified instrumentation
  • 2020
    • Stride for orchestra, 15 mn, Peer Music
  • 2017
    • Ser for orchestra, 13 mn, Peer Music
  • 2016
    • One Mo' Time for flute, clarinet, violin, cello and piano, 6 mn, Peer Music
    • Pa'lante; for flute, bassoon, saxophone, trombone and wind symphony, 15 mn
    • Pinceladas for bassoon and piano, 10 mn, Peer Music
  • 2015
  • 2014
    • Ethos for piano and string quartet, 12 mn, Peer Music
    • del Caribe, Soy! for flute and piano, 10 mn, Peer Music
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2009
  • 2008
    • Ancient for two sopranos, flute, clarinet, percussion, viola and cello
    • Estampas for mixed choir, 6 mn
    • Tiempo en Clave for violin and percussion, 6 mn
    • Ácana for orchestra, 13 mn, Peer Music
  • 2007
    • elec Abanico for violin and interactive computer, 12 mn, Peer Music
    • Alma for flute and piano, 7 mn
    • Atwood Songs for soprano and piano, 8 mn, Peer Music
    • Raices (Tabla Raza) for voice, tabla soloist and ensemble
  • 2006
  • 2005
  • 2004
  • 2003
    • Duende for baritone, 3 batás and five percussionists, 18 mn
    • Mistica for piano, 12 mn, Peer Music
  • 2002
  • 2001
    • Canto song cycle for baritone, clarinet, marimba, cello and piano, 15 mn
    • Desde... for orchestra, 18 mn, Peer Music
    • Rezos for mixed choir, 12 mn
  • 2000
    • Alegre for wind ensemble and four percussionists, 3 mn
    • At the Fountain of Mpindelela, 14 mn
    • Caracol for violin, viola, cello, percussionist and piano, 7 mn 30 s
    • De Memorias for flute, oboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon, 9 mn, Peer Music
    • Fanfarria for four trumpets, two trombones, bass trombone and percussionist, 3 mn
    • Ivo, Ivo for soprano, clarinet, bass clarinet, viola, cello and double bass, 5 mn, Peer Music
    • Satiné for two pianos, 7 mn, Peer Music
    • Turning song cycle for soprano, piano and cello, 13 mn
  • 1999
  • 1998
    • Bailarín for guitar, 4 mn, Peer Music
    • Entre nos for clarinet, bassoon and piano, 12 mn, Peer Music
  • 1997
    • De Color for violin and marimba, 15 mn, Peer Music
    • Drummin' for large group, 60 mn, Peer Music
    • Saóko for brass quintet, 9 mn, Peer Music
    • Sol de Doce for twelve solo voices, 7 mn, Peer Music
  • 1996
    • Singin' Sepia five songs on poems by Rita Dove, for soprano, clarinet, violin and piano four hands, 12 mn, Peer Music
  • 1995
    • Hechizos for ensemble, 15 mn
    • Seven Spirituals for baritone and orchestra, 20 mn
    • Tau for electric oboe, electric bass and electric keyboard
  • 1994
  • 1992
    • Ajiaco for electric guitar and piano, 7 mn
    • Arenas d'un Tiempo for clarinet, cello and piano, 12 mn, Peer Music
    • Crossings for horn, four trumpets, four trombones and tuba, 60 s
  • 1991
  • 1990
    • Journey for high voice, flute and harp, 6 mn, Peer Music
    • To and Fro four songs to poems by Alison Knowles, for medium voice and piano, 8 mn 30 s, Peer Music
  • 1989
    • Batéy for two sopranos, countertenor, two tenors and bass, 30 mn, Peer Music
  • 1988
    • Heart of Ours - A Piece for tenor, male choir, flute, four trumpets and two percussionists, 8 mn
    • Kabiosile for piano and orchestra, 8 mn, Peer Music
    • Parajota Delaté for flute, clarinet, violin, cello and piano, 4 mn 30 s, Peer Music
    • Parajota Delaté version for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and piano, 4 mn 30 s, Peer Music
  • 1987
    • Elegia a Paul Robeson for violin, cello and piano
    • Pueblo Mulato three songs based on poems by Nicolás Guillén, for soprano, oboe, guitar, double bass, percussion and piano, 12 mn, Peer Music
    • Rituál for piano, 7 mn 30 s, Peer Music
  • 1986
    • A La Par for piano and percussionist, 13 mn 30 s, Peer Music
  • 1985
    • Batá for orchestra, 7 mn, Peer Music
  • 1984
  • 1983
  • 1982
    • De-Orishas for two sopranos, countertenor, two tenors and bass, 11 mn, Peer Music
    • stage The Golden Windows play in three acts, for small ensemble, 30 mn, Peer Music
  • 1981
    • stage Belé ballet for piano, percussion and strings, 15 mn
    • Permutation Seven for ensemble, 15 mn, Peer Music
  • 1980
    • Concerto Criollo for orchestra, 20 mn, Peer Music
    • stage Maggie Magalita accompanying music of the piece of the same name, for small ensemble, 25 mn, Peer Music
    • Pet's Suite for flute and piano, 20 mn, Peer Music
  • 1976
  • 1975
  • 1974
    • stage Dougla ballet for two flutes and percussion, 20 mn, Peer Music
  • 1973
    • stage Haiku ballet for flute, bassoon and percussion, 25 mn, Peer Music
  • 1972
    • stage The Beloved ballet for ensemble, 10 mn, Peer Music
  • 1970
    • stage Tones ballet for orchestra, 18 mn, Peer Music
  • Date de composition inconnue

Liens Internet

(liens vérifiés en février 2022).

Bibliographie

  • Zamira BARQUERO TREJOS, Tania LEÓN, Mujeres costarricenses en la música, Costa Rica, Editorial UCR, 2016.
  • David Deboor CANFIELD, « A Master of Synthesis: An Interview with Tania León », Fanfare: The Magazine for Serious Record Collectors, March-April 2012, Vol. 35 Issue 4, p. 135-141.
  • Tania LEÓN, « Polyrhtythmia in the Music of Cuba », Diagonal: An Ibero-American Music Review, 2016, vol 1, issue 2.
  • « Tania León: A Celebration of Diversity in Composing and Life », International Musician, Feb. 2018, Vol. 116, Issue 2, p. 10-12.

Discographie

En tant que compositrice
  • Tania LEÓN, Haiku ; Inura, dans « Tania León: In Motion », 1 CD Albany Music Distribution, 2011, TROY 1284.
  • Tania LEÓN, Atwood Songs, avec des œuvres de Judith Cloud, Elisenda Fábregas, Amanda Harberg, Lori Laitman, Libby Larsen, dans « (In) Habitation », 1 CD Centaur Records, 2010.
  • Tania LEÓN, Bailarín ; Singin’ Sepia ; Axon ; Arenas d’un tiempo ; Satiné ; Horizons, dans « Singin’ Sepia », 1 CD Bridge, 2008, Bridge 9231.
  • Tania LEÓN, Axon, avec des œuvres de Jean-Claude Risset, Conlon Nancarrow, Mari Kimura, Frances White, Robert Rowe, Milica Paranosic, dans « Mari Kimura: Polytopia, Guitarbotana; Risset, Etc », 1 CD Bridge, 2007, Bridge 9236.
  • Tania LEÓN, Bailarín, avec des œuvres de William Bland, Poul Ruders, David Starobin, Paul Lansky, dans « New Music With Guitar Vol 7 », 1 CD Bridge, 2007, Bridge 9239.
  • Tania LEÓN, Batéy, avec des œuvres de David Darling, dans « Darling: Blessings; Camilo/León/Western Wind Ensemble », 1 CD Western Wind, 2006.
  • Tania LEÓN, A la Par, avec des œuvres de Alvin Singleton, Olly Wilson, Wendell Logan, Anthony Davis, Thomas J. Anderson Jr., Tania León : direction, dans « A City Called Heaven », 1 CD Aca Digital, 2003, 20064.
  • Tania LEÓN, De memorias, avec des œuvres de Eugenio Toussaint, Gabriela Ortiz, Roberto Sierra, Richard Felciano, Arturo Márquez, Paquito D’Rivera, dans « Visiones Panamericanas », 1 CD Urtext, 2002.
  • Tania LEÓN, Rituál, avec des œuvres de Hale Smith, Lettie Beckon Alson, Roger Dickerson, Jeffrey Mumford, Adolphus Hailstork, Dolores White, dans « Dark Fires », 1 CD Albany Records, 1997, 266.
  • Tania LEÓN, Indígena ; Parajota Delaté ; Rituál ; A La Par ; Batéy, dans « Indígena », 1 CD Composers Recordings Inc., 1994, CD 662.
En tant que cheffe d’orchestre
  • Luciano BERIO, Folk Songs ; Sequenza III ; Quattro canzoni populari ; Chamber Music ; O King ; Circles, dans « The Great Works For Voice », 1 CD Mode, 2006, mode 48.
  • Henry COWELL, Mosaic Quartet ; 26 Simultaneous Mosaics ; Suite for Woodwind Quintet ; Movement for String Quartet ; Return ; Quartet for Flute, Oboe, Cello and Harp ; Polyphonica ; 26 Simultaneous Mosaics ; Quartet Euphometric ; Quartet Romantic ; String Quartet No. 1 “Pedantic”, dans « Mosaic », 2 CD Mode, 1999, mode 72/73.
  • Leroy JENKINS, Themes & Improvisations On The Blues ; Panorama 1 ; Off Duty Dryad ; Monkey On The Dragon, dans « Themes & Improvisations On The Blues », 1 CD Composers Recordings Inc., 1994, CD 663.