Canciones de amor y soledad is song cycle for soprano solo and clarinet in Bb, commissioned by the Whistling Hens. The work uses two poems written by the composer several years prior to the commission, and one written specifically for the project. The songs use tonal centers and make light references to Latin American rhythms, which are very familiar to the composer. The second song, Me duele el ser, is inspired by the Cuembé variation of the Bomba rhythm from Puerto Rico, and by the Danza rhythmic tradition. In this song, the singer is required to play the 3/2 clave pattern, a well-known rhythm motive that is characteristic of music styles derived from the African diaspora. Like the title expresses, Songs of Love and Solitude (translated to English), the mood of the songs explore a variety of feelings: from remembrance of happiness to sadness and anger.