The Huapango by José Pablo Moncayo (1912-1958) is especially popular; the work was inspired by three traditional Son Huastecas from Veracruz. Moncayo, who would have been 100 years old this June, created an unofficial Mexican national anthem with his Huapango from the year 1941; the work has entered into the repertory of classical symphonic music, pop music, and in turn, of mariachi groups as well. As composer, conductor, pianist and percussionist, Moncayo was, alongside Silvestre Revueltas and Carlos Chávez, a representative of Mexican art music - and also part of the Grupo de los Cuatro with Blas Galindo - who sadly passed away at too young an age. His Huapango (8 min.) was premiered by the Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de México conducted by Chávez in 1941 and today, is a popular concert opener all over the world. In much the same way, the Sinfonietta (10 min.) also represents his typical Mexican style, by making one feel like saddling the horses. No less fun-loving and yet, dramatic, is his work Tierra de Temporal (11 min.) for orchestra. Moncayo’s death in 1958 is considered to be the end of the Mexican national school of composition.
VIDEO: Orquesta Sinfònica Nacional de México bajo la dirección de Carlos Miguel Prieto
