Ernesto Lecuona, on of Cuba' greatest composers, first used his melody "La Comparsa" in his first ballet of the same name, composed in 1912. He later reused this melody and included it in his piano suite "Danzas Afro-Cubanas." La Comparsa is a carnival procession in the Cuban style, beginning quite softly as if the procession were approaching from a distance. The piece culminates as the procession passes directly in front of the listener and then fades as it moves on its way.