Latin American Music Quiz #3
Mexico
-2nd largest Latin American country -111 million people; 1/3 in Mexico City -Colonial conflict between Spanish & indigenous
Carlos Chavez
-Composer & conductor 1.Founded Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional -Compositional style 1.Experimental & abstract 2.Fond of indigenous instruments & themes -Sinfonia india (1935) 1.One-movement, 5 sections 2.Expanded percussion w/ indigenous instruments 3.Quotes melodies of Seri tribes (Sonora region)
Música ranchera
-Dominant genre; emphasis on emotional singing -Lyrical themes of pride in country, love, nostalgia
Marimba Doble
-Double row of keys -Chromatic instrument; up to 6+ octaves -Shift from rural to urban areas -Expanded repertoire; includes European classical to jazz/popular
Mariachi Cobre
-Formed 1971 in Tuscon, AZ -Epcot's Mexico Pavilion since 1982 -"Las Abajeñas"
Mariachi
-Most recognizable musical tradition associated with Mexican national identity -Music served as accompaniment for competitions or serenading chinas -Developed in Jalisco in 19th century -Bridged rural & urban cultures after Mexican Revolution -Romanticized in 1930s during Golden Age of Mexican cinema -Violins, guitar, vihuela, harp Modern additions are guitarron & trumpets -Vocals - reflect rustic/folk styles or Italian operatic elements
Modern Corrido
-Narrative shifted to everyday themes 1.border relations & immigration significant topics -Los Tigres del Norte 1."De paisano a paisano" a.Full band, highlights polka influence b.Illustrates immigrant as a heroic outlaw, crossing borders to provide for family 2.Narcocorrido a.Sub-genre; recounts drug culture (glorification or pointing out violence associated with drug trade) 3."Contrabando y traición"
Mariachi and U.S. Popular Music
-Parallels with country music; musical influence in Southwest
Deer Dance
-Performed during Holy Week 1.Signifies asking forgiveness from the deer; sacrifice was necessary for survival of community 2.Parallels with Christ's sacrifice for humankind -Accompanied by song (maso bwikam) 1.Simple vocal melody 2.Dancer holds gourds, and cocoon rattles on legs 3.Rasping sticks (represent breathing); half gourd in water (struck to represent heartbeat)
Mariachi and Gender
-Primarily associated with men; first documented female groups from 1940s -Notable ensembles: Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles, Mariachi Divas, and Flor de Toloache
Marimba Sencilla
-Simple; single row of keys -Diatonic; expanded range, 4-5 octaves -Wooden, box-like resonators -Multiple performers on one instrument -Alone or with percussion accompaniment -Reflects growing repertoire
Marimba de tecomates
-Single row of keys -Diatonic; 3 octaves -Tecomates: vase/cup shaped resonators -Rural instrument; sacred or secular -Often accompanied by tún (small drum) & chirimía (vertical cane flute)
Son jaliscience
-Six beat meter, shifting syncopation -Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán -Mariachi Cobre
Son jarocho
-Song & dance from state of Veracruz 1.Indigenous, mestizo, and Afro-Mexican communities -Dance performed by couples or women only 1.Zapateado: intricate footwork; percussive musical element -Instrumentation 1.Arpa jarocha (harp) 2.Jarana & requinto (guitar-like instruments) 3.Vocals -"La bamba" 1.Most famous; over 150 lyrical versions 2.International success with Richie Valens 3.Representation of cultural pride and resistance
Nicaraguan baile de la marimba
-marimba de arco; accompanied by guitar & guitarilla -couples dance -private parties or public religious celebrations/processions
marimba
-percussive keyboard with wooden keys -Adopted by indigenous communities in C. America and southern Mexico -Guatemala (national instrument) & Chiapas, Mexico, Nicaragua -3 types: Marimba de tecomates, Marimba sencilla, Marimba doble
Son
-song -Several genres, usually followed by region of association
Jorge Negrete
Charro actor/singer; began career as opera singer
The Conquest (1519)
Destruction and assimilation of indigenous populations
Catholicism
-"moral justification for Conquest" -Evangelization: process of conversion; 40% world's Catholics in Latin America -Music = tool of conversion
Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán
-Founded 1890s; international popularity through film by 1930s -"El son de la negra"
Corrido
-Narrative ballad; "musical newspaper"; popular since Mexican Revolution (1910s) -Simple melodies, guitar accompaniment 1.Lyrics provide complexity; recount deeds of heroism, infamy, or highlight social injustice -Waltz & polka accompaniment -1968 protests against oppressive government of President Gustavo Díaz Ordaz 1.Tlatelolco massacre -Judith Reyes: "Tragedia de la Plaza de las Tres Culturas" 1.Waltz accompaniment 2.Simple harmonic and verse structure
Yaqui
-Northwest Mexico (Sonora); southwest United States (Arizona) -cosmology: all beings are connected, one with nature -Jesuit missionaries introduced Catholicism -5 Worlds parallel -Deer Dance
