Rene Touzet

Cuban born composer Rene Touzet (1916-2003) is best known for his popular music, specifically his dance music in the decades of the 50s and 60s. He is also known as a songwriter, with songs recorded by artists such as Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. What many people may be unaware of is that Touzet was a classically trained pianist who in his spare time wrote over two hundred works for the piano. Some musicians familiar with this collection have referred to it as 'Touzet's hidden treasure', and the composer has also been called 'the Gershwin of Cuba'. Touzet's piano music is colorful and expressive and, because of his Jazz and Latin dance influences, full of rhythm and flavor.

Pianist Maria Letona had the opportunity to meet and work with Rene Touzet, and dedicated her doctoral thesis to his piano compositions. Letona conducted several interviews with Touzet and gained invaluable insights on how to perform his music. One of Touzet's dreams was for his piano works to be better known in the world, but sadly he passed away in 2003. Letona has now embarked on a mission to carry on Touzet's dream, and has recorded a CD of his music. She received her bachelor's and master's degree with distinction in performance from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, and earned her Doctorate in Musical Arts, Pi Kappa Lambda, at the University of Miami. Maria Letona has performed as soloist with the New Orleans Philharmonic, the New Orleans Civic Orchestra, the Lake Charles Symphony Orchestra, and the University of Miami Symphony Orchestra.

Information: www.renetouzet.com

Posted: 8 January 2007

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