Martha Duarte Mustelier, a celebrated Cuban violinist, singer, and composer, passed away on August 27 in Lugano, Switzerland, at the age of 68. The news was confirmed by her daughter, Afrika Duarte, who shared a heartfelt farewell message from the city just hours after her mother's passing.
In a deeply moving Facebook post, Afrika Duarte expressed the profound sorrow of losing her mother: "With a broken heart and deep sorrow, which feels suffocating and consuming, I greet you, mama [...] Today you decided, because I want to believe this was your choice, to leave this earthly world and rest forever." She described her mother as "my warrior, my best friend, the strongest woman I knew, with profound intelligence and an elegance that captivated," and "the most beautiful violin I ever heard in my life."
The First Female Violin Graduate from Cuba's ISA
Martha Duarte held a unique place in Cuban music history, recognized as the first female graduate in violin from Cuba's Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA). Her significant contributions were acknowledged by notable figures such as troubadour Frank Delgado and musicologist Rosa Marquetti.
Her illustrious career spanned many facets of music on the island. Duarte was part of the Camerata Brindis de Salas, a prominent chamber ensemble of the time, initially led by Bulgarian violinist and educator Radosvet Anto Boyadjiev. She also played with the Orchestra of the Grand Theater of the Opera and Ballet of Havana, where she served as the lead violinist, and performed as a soloist with Cuba's National Folkloric Ensemble. In 1985, she joined the rock group Arte Vivo as a violinist and singer, touring Cuba and performing internationally.
Innovations and Legacy in Music
In 1990, she founded Vidrio y Corte, a project that blended jazz and song with elements of rock and funk. Later, she created Martha Duarte and Sarabanda, a group that merged Cuban rhythms with jazz and contemporary sounds, becoming a central focus of her career. In 2001, she released the album "Mulata de Espalda" with Sarabanda, taking on roles as director, editor, and producer.
By 2005, Martha Duarte and Sarabanda recorded "Preludio y fuga con tumbao," a rendition of Fritz Kreisler's "Prelude and Allegro," where Duarte infused contrapuntal writing into Afro-Cuban jazz, incorporating montuno, chachachá, and improvisation.
A Significant Contribution to Cuban Arts
Rosa Marquetti noted Duarte's contributions to Cuban cinema, highlighting her work on the soundtrack of Humberto Solás's film "El siglo de las luces." Her exceptional interpretative skills made her a sought-after musician for numerous recordings, including ballets, theater productions, documentaries, and projects by the International School of Film and Television in San Antonio de los Baños.
Troubadour Frank Delgado shared an emotional tribute on Facebook, recalling his friendship with Duarte. "I couldn't believe my friend Hilda Maria Alonso's post yesterday. At 68, Martha Duarte Mustelier left us, leaving a void in the world of strings," wrote Delgado, who met her in the 1980s in Havana. He reminisced about her involvement with the Nueva Trova movement, both in recordings and live performances. A particularly memorable moment was the premiere of his song "Patrimonio de la Humanidad" at a Sunday gathering in El Sótano Theater, where Duarte delivered an improvised violin solo based on a melody Delgado hummed to her. "Her solo was earth-shattering and transcendent. The applause was for her, not for me or the song, but for that perfectly tuned, dramatic octave," he wrote.
Friends and colleagues expressed their condolences on social media. Hilda Maria Alonso described Duarte as someone who "set trends in this city with her attire, hairstyles, accessories, and unique gestures." Musician Sergio García Romero remembered her as "a very special woman, intelligent, beautiful, fun, approachable, and a friend to her friends." Duarte's passing follows the recent deaths of other Cuban musicians like Julito Noroña of Los Van Van in May and Jorge Gómez, founder of Grupo Moncada, in March.
Her remains will be on view starting at 10:00 AM on Monday, August 31, at the cemetery in Minusio, a town near Lugano, with the funeral service scheduled for 3:00 PM. Heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends, and colleagues.
Remembering Martha Duarte: Her Impact and Legacy
What was Martha Duarte's contribution to Cuban music?
Martha Duarte was a pioneering violinist and composer, known for being the first woman to graduate in violin from Cuba's Instituto Superior de Arte. She was a prominent figure in various musical ensembles and contributed significantly to Cuban cinema and other artistic fields.
How did Martha Duarte innovate in her music?
Duarte was known for her innovative approach to blending genres, such as combining jazz with rock, funk, and Cuban rhythms. Her work with Sarabanda and projects like "Preludio y fuga con tumbao" showcased her ability to merge traditional music with contemporary styles.