Cuban Overture
Cuban Overture is a symphonic overture or tone poem for orchestra composed by American composer George Gershwin. Originally titled Rumba (named for the Cuban rumba musical genre), it was a result of a two-week holiday which Gershwin took in Havana, Cuba in February 1932. Gershwin composed the piece in July and August 1932.
| Cuban Overture | |
|---|---|
| by George Gershwin | |
| Genre | Tone poem |
| Form | Ternary form |
| Composed | July and August 1932 |
| Premiere | |
| Date | August 16, 1932 |
| Location | Lewisohn Stadium |
The overture is dominated by Caribbean rhythms and Cuban native percussion, with a wide spectrum of instrumental color and technique. It is a rich and exciting work with complexity and sophistication, illustrating the influence of Cuban music and dance. Its main theme was influenced by a then current hit by Ignacio Piñeiro, "Échale Salsita".
Other songs referenced by the piece's themes and phrases include the traditional folk song La Paloma.
The overture is in ternary form.