#ClassicsaDay #ClassicalMexico Week 5, 2024
By Ralph Graves
Mexico has a long classical music tradition, extending back to the late 1500s. Composers emigrated from Spain to supply the great Mexican cathedrals with music. Within a generation, native-born composers assumed those roles.
The Classics a Day team realizes that Cinco de Mayo is more of an American than a Mexican holiday. But it is an opportunity to celebrate Mexican culture. And so, the challenge for May is to post examples of Mexican classical music on your social media platforms.
Right from the beginning the traditional music of the native population influenced the classical composers. As a result, Mexican classical music has become a natural expression of the national character.
Here are my selections for the fifth and final week of #ClassicalMexico.
05/27/24 Carlos Chávez (1899–1978): Chapultepec Obertura Repulicana
Chávez was a founder of the Mexican Symphony Orchestra. His use of native Mexican music in his works influenced the course of Mexican classical music — and brought it to the world stage.
05/28/24 Silvestre Revueltas (1899–1940): Sensemayá
Sensemayá is Revueltas’ most popular composition. It was based on a poem describing an Afro-Cuban religious ritual and sacrifice. Revualtas originally wrote the work for a small orchestra in 1937. A year later he created a version for a standard symphony orchestra.
05/29/24 Higinio Ruvalcaba (1905–1976): Cuarteto de Cuerdas No. 6 in D major
Ruvalcaba was a violinist and composer. He replaced the founder of the Léner String Quartet when he retired.
05/30/24 Blas Galindo (1910–1943): Sones de mariachi
Galindo studied with Carlos Chavez and Aaron Copland. He eventually became the director of the National Institute of Fine Arts and the music director of the Symphony of the Mexican Institute of Social Security.
05/31/24 Melesio Morales (1839–1908): La Farfalletta
Morales was born in Mexico City. He had a successful career as an opera composer in Florence and eventually returned to Mexico City. Morales is best known for his vocal music, which includes 10 operas and two cantatas.
Next month:
