Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Mexico

Birth

:

December 31, 1899 in Santiago Papasquiaro, Mexico

Death

:

October 5, 1940 in Mexico City, Mexico

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Orchestral

 

Silvestre Revueltas was a Mexican composer, violinist, and conductor who was born on December 31, 1899, in Santiago Papasquiaro, Durango, Mexico. He was the youngest of ten children born to a family of musicians. His father, Rosendo Revueltas, was a composer, violinist, and conductor, and his mother, Romana Rincón, was a singer and pianist. Silvestre grew up in a musical environment and began playing the violin at a young age. Revueltas received his early musical education from his father and later studied at the National Conservatory of Music in Mexico City. He also studied composition with Carlos Chávez, who would become a close friend and mentor. Revueltas was a talented violinist and played in various orchestras, including the Mexico City Symphony Orchestra and the Orquesta Sinfónica de México. Revueltas began composing in the 1920s and quickly gained a reputation as one of Mexico's most important composers. His music was influenced by Mexican folk music, as well as by the European avant-garde. He was also influenced by the political and social issues of his time and was a committed Marxist. One of Revueltas' most famous works is his orchestral suite "Sensemayá," which was inspired by a poem by the Cuban writer Nicolás Guillén. The piece is based on a Cuban ritual dance that involves the killing of a snake. The music is rhythmic and intense, with driving percussion and brass. It has become one of the most popular works in the Latin American classical music repertoire. Another important work by Revueltas is his "Redes" suite, which was written for the 1935 Mexican film of the same name. The film was a collaboration between Revueltas and the photographer Paul Strand, and it tells the story of a fishing community in Veracruz. The music is atmospheric and evocative, with a strong sense of place and mood. Revueltas also wrote several works for chamber ensembles, including his String Quartet No. 2, which is considered one of his most important works. The quartet is a complex and challenging piece that showcases Revueltas' mastery of counterpoint and harmony. In addition to his work as a composer, Revueltas was also a conductor. He conducted the Mexico City Symphony Orchestra and the Orquesta Sinfónica de México, as well as several other orchestras in Mexico and the United States. He was known for his passionate and energetic conducting style, and he was a strong advocate for contemporary music. Revueltas' political beliefs and activism were an important part of his life and work. He was a member of the Mexican Communist Party and was involved in various political and social causes. He was also a supporter of the Spanish Republic during the Spanish Civil War and wrote several works in support of the Republican cause. Revueltas died on October 5, 1940, at the age of 40. His death was attributed to pneumonia, but it is believed that his poor health was a result of his heavy drinking and smoking. Despite his relatively short life, Revueltas left a lasting legacy as one of Mexico's most important composers. His music continues to be performed and recorded around the world, and his influence can be heard in the work of many contemporary Latin American composers.

More....