Maria Elena Vinueza, director of the center’s Music Department, told the press on Friday that 12 works have already been received for the contest, the jury of which will be made up by maestros Alejandro Cardona, from Costa Rica; Juan Piñera, from Cuba, and Cergio Prudencio,from Bolivia.

The Cuban maestro, who participates for the second time in the event, described it as an opportunity for training, and said that the contest has allowed him to corroborate the vitality of Latin American and Caribbean composition in classical music.

Music specialist Layda Ferrando, pointed out that the Latin American Composition and Interpretation Workshop will be held simultaneously, which will bring together experts and students interested in holding exchanges on current techniques and strategies in these fields.

Premiered during the inaugural concert on April 11 will be Bestiario, a string quartet by Colombian Fabian Harbeith, winner of the 2009 prize.

Four concerts will be given during the sessions of the Casa de las Americas Composition Prize. They will show the most diverse contemporary aesthetics, and access will be free of charge.

The contest was held for the first time in 2004, at the request of great Cuban composer Harold Gramatges, who considered it a debt pending to be paid in the field of creation.

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