"The Cuban Mass" is a serious work inspired by
Cuban folk music. It is by no means a work of popular
music, as are other contemporary folk masses. The com-
poser has carefully developed all the musical elements
to obtain a high degree of aesthetic stylization within
the genre. Any compositional change on this work will
therefore improperly affect the musical values and in-
tegrity of this composition. Since its premiere in 1973,
The Cuban Mass has had many performances throughout the 
USA and abroad; influencing, in time, with its innovative
and fresh ideas on other works, such as Jackson Berkey's 
Arma Lucis (1988).

Note Well:"The Cuban Mass" is the correct title of 
this work, and, consequently it is copyrighted as such. 
The definite article is part of the title because this mass
is the only internationally known Cuban liturgical work
of its kind.

FACTS:
Composition
      parts:
 

      
 

      
Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Santo, Agnus
      Dei, and Aleluya
Total duration:
 
20 minutes
 
Text source:
 
Spanish and English texts,
      in the Roman Catholic liturgical tradition.
 
Soloists required:
 
1 Soprano, 1 Contralto or
      Mezzo, and 1 Tenor
 
Choral forces required:
 
S-A-T-B
 

      
Instrumentation:

      
 

      
 

      
 

      
 

      
 

      
 

      
 

      
 

      
 

      
 

      
 

      
 

      
(I)


      
Symphony Orchestra score:

      
2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, and
      2 bassoons; 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, and tuba; timpani
      and percussion (2 players); harp and piano; violins I and II,
      violas, cellos, and contrabasses.

      


      
 

      
(II)


      
*Vocal/Piano/Percussion score:

      
Soprano, Tenor and Alto; Choir (SATB),
      Piano, and Percussion (2 players).

      
*This version has been performed
      many times since 1975, being the most widely recognized in temples,
      universities, and concert halls, at home and abroad.
Vocal and instrumental
      difficulties:
 
None
 

      
World Premiere:

      
 

      
 

      
 

      
Winter 1973, Episcopal Cathedral
      of Saint John the Divine, New York.

      
 

      
 

      
 

      
Publications:

      
 

      
 

      
 

      
 

      
 

      
 

      
 

      
 

      
 

      
 

      
 


      
Vocal and piano scores published
      in 1975 by Walton Music:Full Score (M-128) and Kyrie and Aleluya
      score for solo choir (#2301). Both scores distributed by Hal Leonard Publishing Company;and sold also, among others, by JW Pepper
      Sheet Music.

      
Orchestra material available
      on rental from the composer by email request
           

      
Commercial recording:

      
 

      
 

      
 

      
 

      


      
Kyrie and Aleluya were recorded in
      1984 by the Levande Ton Choir, an excellent vocal group from
      Sweden, conducted by Thore
      Kennestad.

      
(Note: The rhythmic accompaniment
      in a Cuban dance style that appears in this recording was performed
      by the recognized Cuban pianist, Bebo
      Valdés, and two typical percussionists.
      The composer learned of this "rhythmical" recorded
      version two years after its release.)

      
 

      
Other Media Applications:

      
 

      
 
The Cuban Mass is
      suitable for background music for film and video productions,
      as well as for choreographed montages as was performed in Sweden
      in 1994.
Performances:
              
 

      
October 24-25, 1998 by the:


      


      


      
Under the direction of Dr.
      Brady Allred. A NON-COMMERCIAL live CD recording of the complete
      work was made by the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh in 1998.


      


      
 

      


      
January 23, 1999 by the Westchester
      Philharmonic under the direction of Paul Lustig Dunkel, its Musical
      Director and Conductor.


      


      
 

      


      
At the Skinnskatteberg Festival,
      Sweden, 17-19 June 1994


      


      
Bengt Ollen, Conductor


      


      
Sung by soprano, Annika Skoglund


      


      
Annika Listén, together
      with


      


      
Caroline Ostberg, who danced
      the choreographed version of The Cuban Mass at the Skinnskatteberg
      Festival.


      


      
 

      


      


      
Almeda Berkey, Music Director
      of the Soli Deo Gloria Cantorum, together with Jackson Berkey
      performed The Cuban Mass,


      
September 26, 1993.


      


      
 

      
University of California,
      San Diego


      
La Jolla Symphony & Chorus


      
Director: David Chase


      
Guest conductor: Xiomara
      Di Maio


      
December 4 & 5, 1993


      


      
On April 4, 2004, The Cuban
      Mass was performed in USA by the Palomar Chamber Singers from
      the Palomar College Performing Arts Department under the direction
      of Dr. David Chase.


      


      
On Saturday, July 3, 2004,
      The Cuban Mass was performed in Denmark by the Tritonus Choir
      of Denmark under the direction of renowned conductor and composer
      JOHN HØYBYE


      

Some available reviews from 1989-1999

"The Westchester Philharmonic, Americas Vocal Ensemble and Chorus of the Americas all joined forces for a rousing rendition of the 'Kyrie,' 'Sanctus' and 'Alleluia' from Enrique Ubieta's inspirational 'Cuban Mass.'

-Francis Brancaleone

The Journal News

January 28, 1999

"The Cuban Mass shows exquisite taste in matching Cuban styles to the text of the liturgy. One of the most impressive sections was the 'Santo' based on music of blacks in Cuba. And the conga Ubieta employs for the 'Aleluya' made for a truly joyous conclusion. The first rate vocal soloists were soprano Cynthia Harding, mezzo-soprano Daphne Anderson and tenor Mathew Pittman. The composer was on hand to take a bow for this Pittsburgh premiere."

-Mark Kanny

Pittsburgh Post-Gazzette

October 26, 1998

"The [Florilegium Chamber] choir sang a bright, exotic Kyrie and Aleluya from Mr. Ubieta's [The]'Cuban Mass'..."

-Allan Kozinn

The New York Times

June 16, 1989

"The Kyrie and Aleluya from Ubieta's 'The Cuban Mass' closed the program with much percussive fanfare and choral spirit."

-Susan Elliott

New York Post review of Florilegium Chamber Choir's performance at Merkin Hall.

June 15, 1989

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