Alma Quartet: Leo Brouwer

Alma String Quartet has developed a distinguished career in the field of chamber music, with a particular focus on contemporary interpretation and international collaboration. Throughout its trajectory, the quartet has worked with guest artists from various countries and participated in important cultural projects. Since 2020, the ensemble has maintained an active collaboration with the Ediciones Espiral Eterna, founded by Leo Brouwer, performing and recording works written specifically for string quartet. These include Brouwer's String Quartet No. 5, the Two Preludes by Gershwin/Brouwer, the Guitar Quintets Nos. 1 and 2, and Baladas del Decameron Negro, in collaboration with guitarist Lazhar Cherouana (France–Switzerland). 

In 2023, the quartet participated in the 500th Anniversary of Sweden Day, presenting a program that featured both classical and traditional Swedish music. That same year, the group was selected through a public call by the Fondo de Arte Joven (FAJ) to take part in the project “A Ritmo de Inclusión”, a platform that promotes emerging Cuban artists and supports cultural entrepreneurship. The quartet also took part in a tribute concert to Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninov, conducted by Helson Hernández, with the support of the Embassy of Russia in Cuba, performing Rachmaninov’s String Quartet No. 1. Additionally, the quartet has been invited to perform during official events celebrating European Union Day, reaffirming its role as a cultural ambassador of Cuban chamber music in diplomatic and cultural settings. 

As part of its ongoing artistic development, the Alma String Quartet has performed in the Mozart-Habana Festival, presenting works by W. A. Mozart, and participated in chamber music masterclasses led by Pablo de Pedro (Spain) and Davide Vittone (Italy). The quartet also maintains a visible presence in national music media. Representing the ensemble, its director Amaya Justiz was featured on the radio program “In Crescendo,” broadcast by CMBF National Classical Radio, where she shared the group’s recordings and discussed their artistic journey and development. They were winners of the “Musicalia” competition and were awarded First Prize in the String Chamber Music category in recognition of their technical proficiency and interpretative excellence. 

Alma participated in the soundtrack recording for the short film Gemini, directed by Orlando Mora Cabrera, contributing original string performances to the film’s musical score. They were also invited to perform during the commemorations of the Abolition of Slavery in Guadeloupe in collaboration with Jean Michel Lesdel, presenting a program of traditional Guadeloupean music as part of a cultural and historical reflection. 

They collaborated with Spanish composer Carles Guisado in the recording and premiere of the audiovisual work Quinteto Reflexión No. 2: Maktoub, for guitar and string quartet, alongside Cherouana. The piece blends contemporary composition with Mediterranean musical elements. They were invited to collaborate in a new recording project by Marie Laure Toppo and Yasel Muñoz, currently in production. The quartet’s participation in this album highlights its versatility and presence in contemporary projects that explore musical fusion and sonic experimentation. They also took part in the Zurich Classical Guitar Festival, performing with Cherouana in a concert of Cuban music in Zurich. 

In spring 2026, a collaboration with MalPaso Dance Company will bring the quartet to the Joyce Theater in New York City alongside Aldo López-Gavilán. The quartet will be the live ensemble, contributing music as a fundamental part of the work’s scenic language. This collaboration highlights the ensemble’s dedication to interdisciplinary projects combining contemporary music and dance.