Composed by Antonio Castro
Arranged by Andrew Roitstein
“No Encuentro Palabras” (I Can’t Find the Words) was first performed in 1956 by Celia Cruz and La Sonora Matancera. In this song, the singer longs for the object of her affection, perhaps from afar. We like to think that she’s mustering up the courage to proclaim her love, in-person. Here’s a summary of the English translation of these lyrics:
“‘Look at me, tell me you love me, kiss me. Hold me, tell me I’m your love!’ Night after night, I tell you these phrases in my dreams. But when I awaken, I can’t find the words—when I’m with you, I don’t know what happens!”
Vocalist Alina Roitstein joins Toomai as we transform into a “son cubano” band in this “cha cha cha.” While all the string parts interlock and sometimes trade off rhythmic roles, the viola generally takes on the piano “montuno” line, the cello champions the percussive güiro rhythm, the bass plays a traditional role, and the violins interchange between honorary backup singers and interjecting trumpeters.
Mírame, di que me quieres, bésame
Abrázame, dime que soy tu amor
Mírame, di que me quieres, bésame
Abrázame, dime que soy tu amor
Son las frases que noche tras noche
En sueños yo te digo,
Pero despierto, no encuentro palabras
Cuando estoy contigo, no sé qué me pasa!
Ay, Mírame, di que me quieres, bésame
Abrázame, dime que soy tu amor
(strings: mírame) Di que me quieres (strings: bésame)
Bésame cariño (mírame)
Ay mírame, abrázame, (bésame)
Ay, quiérame, adórame (mírame)
Ay, mírame mi cielo (bésame)
Ay, no me digas que no me quieres (mírame)
Ay, no me digas que no me adoras (bésame)
Si yo te quiero, si yo te adoro (mírame)
Di que me quieres (bésame)
Bésame mi cielo (mírame)
Ay, mírame, ay, bésame (bésame)
[instrumental interlude]
(Mírame) di que me quieres (bésame)
Bésame mi cielo (mírame)
Ay, mírame, ay, bésame (bésame)
Abrázame cariño (mírame)
Ay, mírame ahora
Bésame!
credits
from Cuerdas Cubanas,
track released June 10, 2018
Special guest: Alina Roitstein
Composed by Antonio Castro
Arranged by Andrew Roitstein
Recorded and edited by Ryan Streber at Oktaven Audio
Mastered by Nate Wood at Kerseboom Mastering
The Toomai String Quintet is an ensemble devoted to playing a variety of musical styles from around the world
and
illuminating them through interactive concerts. The award-winning group has been engaging
audiences across the US for over a decade, performing concerts and workshops in collaboration with
presenters such as Carnegie Hall, Midori and Friends, 92nd Street Y, and The Juilliard School....more
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