Blas Galindo

I have changed.  I honestly can’t think straight with music blaring in the background, or even playing softly.  I find it very distracting.  I am simply too aware of it to concentrate on anything but.  I was listening to Myaskovsky’s 13th and 9th Symphonys this morning while writing and halfway through the latter I had to take off my headphones.

I put on Carlos Chávez instead.  It is Cinco De Mayo after all. 

In 1862, the French occupied Mexico City and began their attempt at a second empire in the Americas.  In 1863, miners in California shot off rifles and gave impromptu speeches celebrating the Mexican resistance efforts, and hence the focus on Cinco De Mayo as a commemorative holiday was sparked.  It would take another 100 years before, (all hail, the mighty American alcohol industry) would put some force into the advertising arm of the offensive and get the day some real recognition.  There is an absolutely incredible 1989 Corona Beer commercial on YouTube with some fascinating pronunciation and the strangest music. Somehow, this made Americans aware of the day as having some sort of significance in Mexico, and, well, we weren’t really celebrating anything commercially otherwise, so, what the hell, right?

It’s worth it today, I think to explore a little of Mexico’s composers, should it be classical, modern, Mariachi, or whatever your tastes prefer.  I found the most enchanting work by Blas Galindo.  His Prelude No. 6 is captivating.  Somber and reminiscent of tonal southern traditions, following fifths, and intervallic phrasings that bring your attentions to the struggles and triumphs of the Mexican people.  One of my favorite qualities of the version linked is the sound of the record player from which it was recorded.  The cracks and hiss of the needle on the vinyl brought me all the closer to the music. It is worth a turn or two, and I invite anyone looking to celebrate a little cultural diversity today to listen to some of his compositions. 

As ironic as it may be, May 5th might just owe its success to Corona after all, but it doesn’t mean we have to listen to beer commercial music and forget all the amazing sound that makes Mexican music as much a joy to listen to as Blas Galindo did for me today. 

Here is his 7 Piezas para piano (1952). Happy Cinco De Mayo.