Maria Teresa Vera, Everything For La Trova
The old Trova has this woman as one of its prominent artists, whose voice is hard to compare
By: Ana Margarita Sánchez Soler, asanchez@enet.cu
December has the trova tunes of Maria Teresa Vera, in its own tempo and spirit. Her songs are played as a farewell on this last month of the year. This was the perfect antecedent of the feeling or better yet, the soul itself of that musical movement which combines guitar and old voice.
María Teresa died on December 17th, 1965 and her life story was already full of many deep songs.
The old Trova has this woman as one of its prominent artists, whose voice is hard to compare. The nuances her voice revealed are kept in captivating recordings that are preserved.
She can grab the attention of any listener since her songs sound to yesteryear with a rarely captured authenticity. The perfect synchrony between her vocal instrument and the accompanying strings exceed any virtuosity. This is about feeling, intimacy, and even pain.
Who knows with certainty where her coloured trova come from? Maybe It came from her slave grandparents. Although her father was form Spain, she was influenced by the black men’s root from cane and trapiche. Teresa was the mixtures result, the unions that gave her an exquisite sense of musicality.
Her song lyrics and melodies was influenced by the Bohemian life she had. Manuel Corona led the way that would define her life: teo learn how to master the instrument and chords.
Corona himself encouraged her to discover herself with a guitar in her arms. She did not hesitate and in the days to come, it was easy to see her singing the famous Veinte Años, by Guillermina Aramburu.
Along with Rafael Zequeira she founded duet empaste in 1916, that took them to the United States on several occasions. Maria Teresa herself defined that union as “a popular success” while she apologized for her lack of modesty. This very cuban woman by character and talent overflowed simplicity while assuming the delusions of singing.
With great passion she assumed the compositions of the Aramburu, later interpreted by different singers. However, nobody has done it like this singer of La Trova. Nobody else found a singer similar to Maria Teresa Vera, that taste of old oak and tavern drink.
Translated by ESTI