Carlos Chávez (1899-1978)

Donald Macleod is joined by Odaline de la Martinez to explore the
life and music of Carlos Chavez


Carlos Chávez was both a rebel and an educator. Born in a Mexico
on the brink of revolution, he would go on to single-handedly
revolutionise Mexican music and culture, filling his compositions
with indigenous Aztec stories and sounds. Many cite Aaron Copland
as an influence on Chávez, but the truth may have been the
reverse. While Copland was championing American music in the
States, Chávez was fighting for it in Mexico, educating the next
generation of Mexican composers. He may have shaped American
music more than any other - yet his legacy is little known.
Odaline de la Martinez joins Donald Macleod to explore his life
and work.


Music Featured:


Three Pieces for Guitar Sexteto para Arcos y Piano: III. Andante
& IV. Finale Los Cuatro Soles Chapultepec "Republican
Overture" Poligonos Tres Exagonos Otros Tres Exagonos Energia
Suite de Caballos de Vapor: I. Danza del hombre, II. El barco,
III. El tropico Soli I Soli II Sinfonia India Xochipilli Toccata
for Percussion Instruments Concerto for Violin and Orchestra
Sinfonia Romantica: III. Finale Symphony No 5: I. Allegro molto
moderato, molto lento Tambuco for Percussion Symphony No 6: III.
Passacaglia con anima String Quartet No 2 Huapango Soli IV


Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Alice McKee for BBC Audio
Wales and West


For full track listings, including artist and recording details,
and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after
broadcast) head to the series page for Carlos Chávez (1899-1978)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001q746


And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve
featured on Composer of the Week here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z