Composer

:

Silvestre Revueltas

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Orchestral

Compose Date

:

1940

Average_duration

:

5:39

Este era un rey (This was a king) is a symphonic work composed by Mexican composer Silvestre Revueltas in 1933. The piece was premiered on November 23, 1933, by the Orquesta Sinfónica de México, conducted by Carlos Chávez. The work is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character and mood. The first movement, titled "El rey que se muere" (The dying king), is slow and mournful, with a sense of impending doom. The second movement, "El rey que se va" (The departing king), is faster and more energetic, with a sense of urgency and movement. The final movement, "El rey que llega" (The arriving king), is triumphant and celebratory, with a sense of joy and renewal. The piece is characterized by Revueltas' use of Mexican folk music and rhythms, as well as his incorporation of dissonant harmonies and unconventional orchestration. The work also features a prominent role for the percussion section, with the use of maracas, tambourines, and other instruments adding to the piece's rhythmic complexity. Overall, Este era un rey is a powerful and evocative work that showcases Revueltas' unique musical voice and his ability to blend traditional Mexican music with modernist techniques. Its premiere was a significant moment in Mexican music history, and the piece remains a beloved and influential work to this day.

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