My Journey with Aruán Ortiz in Three Views of a Musical Piece

by Barbara Bruckmuëller

Embarking on a collaborative project with the esteemed Cuban pianist and composer Aruán Ortiz was an exhilarating prospect from the start. As a composer deeply committed to exploring the boundaries of musical expression, I was thrilled to join forces with Aruán for our venture, which we christened Three Views of a Musical Piece.

While my compositions laid the groundwork, Aruán’s free improvisation and inspired interpretations breathed life into the iterations of our musical piece. His ability to delve into the essence of my work and weave his musical narrative around, spontaneously, was a revelation that infused our project with an exhilarating, deeply moving, and dynamic energy.

We took one of my compositions, A Chain of Moments – Suite in Five Movements, and reinterpreted it in three arrangements, each showcasing a different ensemble and musical style. It was an ambitious undertaking, but we embraced it with enthusiasm and a shared sense of adventure.

The first arrangement featured a mesmerizing interplay between piano and string quartet that allowed us to delve deeply into delicate nuances and intricate melodies of the piece. Aruán’s piano playing was sublime, weaving seamlessly with the strings to create a rich tapestry of sound that resonated with emotional depth.

In the second arrangement, we changed the sonic landscape through a vibrant jazz sextet. Here, the composition took on a new life, infused with rhythmic dynamism and improvisational flair. Aruán’s background in jazz brought a fresh perspective to the piece, inspiring new musical ideas and pushing the boundaries of creativity.

Finally, the third arrangement showcased the sound width of my Jazz Orchestra, augmented by the rich textures of a string quartet and Aruán’s virtuosic prowess on piano. This arrangement was the culmination of our collaboration. Here, the composition reached its zenith as each element of the ensemble came together in perfect harmony.