Sinfonia India by Carlos Chávez

Carlos Chávez (1899-1978) was born in, and died in, Mexico City. No one could have been more thoroughly Mexican; as Dvořák was the quintessential Czech musician, so Chávez was the quintessential Mexican musician. He is the greatest composer yet produced by Mexico, and deserves a place in the first ranks of the world’s composers.

Chávez was a conductor, a pianist, and a teacher. For six years he directed the National Conservatory, where he introduced many important innovations in the teaching of music. He wrote a great deal of music, including 7 symphonies. Sinfonia India (1936) is Symphony No. 2. In 1940, Chávez wrote his monumental Piano Concerto, which is of symphonic scope. The famed American piano virtuoso, the late Eugene List (with whom this writer was privileged to study) performed and recorded this concerto under the guidance of Chávez himself. Mr. List spoke of Chávez as being a vigorous, vital and utterly sincere individual whom he liked very much, a man of passionate beliefs and opinions, and intensely interested in his own Mexican roots and the indigenous culture of Mexico. These qualities could not be better exemplified than by the note Chávez himself provided for his Sinfonia India, which also provides a ready-made insight into what the composer had in mind in creating this exciting work. Here is Chávez’ note in its entirety:

Composer Note:

“The indigenous music of Mexico is a reality of contemporary life. It is not, as might be thought, a relic to satisfy mere curiosity on the part of intellectuals, or to supply more or less important data for ethnography. The indigenous art of Mexico is, in our day, the only living manifestations of the race which makes up approximately four-fifths of the country’s racial stock.

The essential characteristics of this indigenous music have been able to resist four centuries of contact with European musical expressions. That is, while it is certain that contact with European art has produced in Mexico a mestizo (mixed) art in constant evolution, this has not meant the disappearance of pure indigenous art. This fact is an index to its strength.

The force of indigenous art is rooted in a series of essential conditions. It obeys a natural creative impulse of the individual toward an expression at once legitimate and free of affectation. In musical terms, the great expressive strength of indigenous art is rooted in its intrinsic variety, in the freedom and amplitude of its modes, and scales, in the richness of its instrumental and sound elements, and in the simplicity and purity of its instrumental and sound elements, and in the simplicity and purity of its melodies.

There is never, in this music, a morbid or degenerate feeling, never a negative attitude toward other men or nature as a whole. The music of America ‘s immediate ancestors is the strong music of a man who constantly struggles and tries to dominate his surroundings. Imported manifestations opposed to the feeling of the music have been unable to destroy it because they have not succeeded in changing the ethical conditions of individuals.”

– Carlos Chávez

To purchase a set of the complete symphonies of Carlos Chávez, click link below:

Carlos Chávez: The Complete Symphonies

For a score and full set of parts, check this out:

More works by Carlos Chávez:

Three Poems For Medium/Low Voice and Piano. By Carlos Chavez. Vocal Collection. 24 pages. Published by G. Schirmer, Inc. (50485218) See more info…

Toccata By Carlos Chavez. For Percussion Ensemble. Percussion – Ensemble. Percussion Ensemble Series. Level: Intermediate Plus (grade 5). Book. 76 pages. Published by Alfred Publishing. (88801X) See more info…

Tree of Sorrow (Arboluco, Te Sequeste) – for Four Part Mixed Chorus SATB. By Carlos Chavez. Arranged by Carlos Chavez. SATB chorus and keyboard. For SATB, Piano Rehearsal. Contemporary Choral Series. Choral. Choral Part(s). 6 pages. Published by Theodore Presser Company. (352001130) See more info…

Chapultepec: Marcha Provinciana [composer's transcription] By Chavez, Carlos (1899-1978) [Codina, Genaro (1851-1901)]. For concert band. Level: Grade 3. Full score. Composed 1933. Duration 3 minutes. Published by Kalmus (Reprint source: Belwin-Mills). (B3591-FSC) See more info…

Partita for Solo Timpani (Percussion / Timpani) By Carlos Chavez. This edition: ED3356. Percussion. 16 pages. Published by G. Schirmer, Inc. (50336150) See more info…