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José Manuel “Lico” Jiménez Berroa
Befriended and praised by Franz Liszt, Lico was nicknamed “The Ebony Liszt”
José Manuel “Lico” Jiménez Berroa (1851-1917) was a 19th Century Afro-Cuban virtuoso pianist and composer who is known as the first Cuban composer to work with the lied genre.
Born from a long lineage of classical musicians, Lico learned piano from his father and some sources say his maternal aunt, Catalina Berroa, the first female composer of Cuba.
At the age of 15, he was discovered by famous German cellist Karl Werner, who suggested that Lico continue his studies in Europe. Unable to afford it at the time, Lico’s family asked the social elite of Trinidad for support.
A year later, Lico traveled to Europe, where he studied in conservatories in both Germany and France for over 10 years and found international recognition as a soloist. Lico, his father José Julian, and his brother, Nicasio, created a chamber ensemble known as “Das Negertrio” in Germany and as “The Coloured Trio” in England to cover their expenses in Europe.
After completing his studies, Lico returned to Cuba in 1879, with the dream of starting his own music school. He played in the “coloured peoples” societies and the philharmonic events that took place in the most important white societies. However, because of racial constructs, Lico was banned from starting a school and was limited to giving lessons in his own home. Frustrated and defeated, by not being able to fulfill his dream, Lico left Cuba in 1890 and returned to Germany.
Lico left behind a son, named Angel Zambrana, who grew up in Cuba and fathered five children, José, Eugenio, Nolga, Miguel and Camilo Zambrana. He settled in Hamburg, Germany where he married a German woman, Emma Filter, and fathered three children, Adolfo, Manuela, and Andrea. Lico was appointed Deputy Director of the Conservatory of Hamburg and headed the foreigners’ section of the university, where Latin American students were given the opportunity to study.
(c)FrancisRebuffé
Racial Prejudice & Discrimination
Cuba was under colonization for most of the 19th century and Lico lived in an era marked with war, racial turmoil, and political unrest. Growing up, Lico lived in an area of Trinidad, Cuba that was referred to as “free blacks”. In 1886, the slave trade was abolished, which only exasperated racism in Cuba. After Lico’s studies he returned to Cuba and gained recognition as a concert pianist and composer. However, Lico faced extreme racial prejudice, from many of the same elites who helped him study abroad and was banned from starting a music school. He was driven out of Cuba and moved back to Europe.
Lico’s music and musical contributions as the first Cuban composer to work with the lied genre are not currently taught in music schools and conservatories. He has never truly received the acknowledgment and recognition of other Cuban classical musicians of his time.
“Fervent devotees of Beethoven, the Jiménezes performed many of his Sonatas. Liszt, Chopin, and Rubinstein completed the young pianist’s repertoire. The Cuban bourgeoisie, who preferred black orchestras to harmonize their dances, overwhelmed José Manuel Jimenez with all the weight of the racial prejudices, refusing to grant him the position he deserved.”
-Alejo Carpenter (via - Canciones)
Artistry
Lico was a renowned soloist, composer, and teacher in Europe, but was also the first Cuban composer to work with the Lied Genre. As detailed in Canciones, musicologist Isidro Betancourt highlights several of Lico’s achievements and musical talent:
Lico gave public and private performances as a soloist including a performance before the German Emperor Wilhelm. In 1881, an exhibition was held at the Matanzas Lyceum, where two of his works, Elegy and Cuban Rhapsody in E major, were awarded prizes. Due to his colour and virtuosity at the piano, he was praised by Franz Liszt in Paris, and by Richard Wagner, who nicknamed him “The Ebony Liszt”.
After moving back to Cuba, in spite of the racial discrimination prevailing on the island, and more so in Cienguegos, the citizens could not ignore the presence of this talented musician, who had consolidated himself to our times as “the first great Cuban Liederista”. On June 4th 1890, Lico performed in the first of a series of concerts with his father, his premier being the concert at the Gran Teatro Tacon de la Habana. The program consisted of two Nocturnes, Ballade in A flat major op. 47 and Polonaise in A flag major by Frederic Chopin, Cocoye by Louis Moreau Gottschalk and a work composed by him, Solitude.
With that concert, Lico Jimenez obtained a resounding success, as reflected in the review of the great Cuban pianist Ignacio Cervantes, published in the Diario de la Marina. Cervantes describes him as a “first-class pianist, an expert in the execution of octaves, arpeggio chords, different types of touches and nuances and, at the same time, as a masterful interpreter of the works of Rubinstein and Liszt”.
“His composition entitled “Solitude” is beautiful, loud and of extremely elegant cut, and then played by him with the nuances that he knows, and that only an author gives to his pieces, it makes one believe in the most complete solitude, even in the middle of the theatre, such in the feeling that he lavishes on his listeners.” -Ignacio Cervantes
Timeline
(via – Canciones)
1851-1865: José Manuel “Lico” Jiménez Berroa was Born on December 7th, 1851 in Trinidad, Cuba. Born from a long lineage of classical musicians, Lico learned piano from his father, and some sources say his maternal aunt, Catalina Berroa, the first female composer of Cuba.
1866: At the age of 15, after a performance in Trinadad, Lico was acknowledged by the German cellist Karl Werner, who suggested he travel to Europe to continue his studies.
1867: Lico traveled to Germany with his brother Nicasio and studied with the piano and organ teacher Carl Armbrust
1868: The Ten Years’ War broke out in Cuba and Lico’s father, José Julian, traveled to Europe to join his sons in Hamburg.
1869: After the death of Carl Ambrust, Lico and his brother traveled to Leipzig and Lico entered the Conservatory of Music of Leipzig. He studied under German composer and pianist Carl Reinecke and the Director of the piano department, Ignez Moscheles.
1871: Lico, his father, and his brother created a chamber ensemble known as “Das Negertrio” in Germany and as “The Coloured Trio” in England to cover their expenses in Europe. The ensembled debuted in Leipzig on October 8th, 1871 and gave concerts in more than fifty cities in Germany, Austria, Belgium, France, Holland, England, Poland, and Russia.
1875: Lico was awarded a diploma from the Conservatory of Music of Leipzig.
1876: Lico entered the Conservatory of Paris where he studied piano with Antoine Marmontel.
1879-1890: Lico returned to Cuba and settled in the city of Cienfuegos. He performed several concerts and gained recognition as a composer and soloist, but was banned from starting a music school.
1890: Lico moved back to Europe and settled in Hamburg, Germany.
1892: Lico was appointed Deputy Director of the Conservatory of Hamburg and headed the foreigners’ section of the university, where Latin American students were given the opportunity to study.
1899: Lico married Emma Filter, with whom he would have three children.
1917: Lico passed away in Hamburg, Germany.
Sources: Canciones, Lico Jiménez - Edición de Isidro Lázaro Betancourt Benítez
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