#ClassicsaDay #ClassicalMexico Week 1 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 first week of #ClassicalMexico.
05/01/24 Juan de Lienas (c. 1640): Tristis est anima mea
Little is known about de Lienas. His music survives in two collections, along with some unflattering comments about his appearance and character.
05/02/24 Francisco López Capillas (c. 1615 – 1673): Tantum ergo Sacramentum
Cpillas was a native Mexican composer. He was choirmaster and principal organist at the Mexico City Cathedral. In that capacity, he produced a large body of religious choral music.
05/03/24 Juan García de Zéspedes (c. 1619–1678): y Que Me Abraso
De Zéspedes was a great composer, but a terrible employee. From 1664 through 1678 he was maestro of the Puebla Cathedral. And he was censured many times — but never fired — over the execution of his duties.
