The greatest Cuban musical genius was Ignacio Cervantes Kawanagh, who died on April 29, 1905. José Martí called him: "a Cuban creator, a Cuban founder".
Ignacio Cervantes Kawanagh was born in Havana on July 31, 1847. According to many people, he was born in San Antonio, since he always showed deep affection for this Villa. He used to come frequently to visit Don Antonio de Porto and Castro and other families of this town, and sometimes to concerts and music parties. However, the birth registration was not found in the Parochial Church of the Villa. Son of Doña Soledad Kawanagh and Don Pedro Cervantes, lawyer and pianist, who was Mayor of San Antonio de los Baños Corregidor and Secretary of the University of Havana.
When he was 10 years old, he composed his contradanza ''Soledad'', dedicated to his mother.
In 1865 Ignacio Cervantes entered the famous National Conservatory of Paris in order to perfect his studies. He won the glorious Grand Piano Award. In 1868 he also achieved the Harmony Prize. In 1869 he returned to Havana where he achieved great popularity. His dances were composed from 1875 to 1895, among them the famous "El Velorio" and "Las Dificultidades". Among the contradanzas,''La Encantadora''.
In Cuba he performed in different theaters and concert halls, being director of the Payret theater orchestra in Havana. He died on April 29, 1905. His prolific work is part of the heritage of the national artistic culture.
