Cecilia Arizti

Cecilia Arizti Sobrino was a Cuban pianist and composer born in Havana in 1856. She grew up in a highly musical environment as the daughter of pianist and music teacher Fernando Arizti, receiving her early education from him and later studying with his student, Nicolás Ruiz Espadero. Arizti developed into a skilled performer and an emerging creative voice within the Cuban classical music scene of the late nineteenth century.

She was active as a pianist in the salons of Havana, where she became known for her refined technique and expressive style. In 1896 she toured the United States, further promoting her work and expanding her artistic reach. Her piano compositions reflect the Romantic tradition, drawing inspiration from figures such as Chopin and Schumann. Many of her works were published by various music publishers, including the prominent New York house Schirmer.

One of the milestones of Cuban art music was the 1893 premiere of her piano trio, performed by Arizti together with violinist Rafael Díaz Albertini and cellist Rafael Ortega. The work was highly praised by Ignacio Cervantes, one of Cuba’s leading composers of the period, who regarded it with exceptional esteem. Arizti’s contributions enriched the development of Cuban classical music, offering a distinctive Romantic voice rooted in both European influence and local tradition.

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