JOSE PABLO MONCAYO  

Born as the composer was in Guadalajara, Jalisco, in 1912, the most important work of José Pablo Moncayo and the Mexican orchestral composition most widely known internationally is dedicated to the state of Veracruz. In a journey that Moncayo and Blas Galindo undertook to Alvarado to collect the folk-music of the region they met with serious difficulties in the transcription of the very varied rhythms of the people of Huapango. In doubt as to how to proceed, Moncayo had recourse to another composer, Candelario Hufzar, who advised him to publish the material as he had heard it and then to develop it in accordance with his own ideas. From this comes this score that may be regarded as a second national anthem. The clever use of the trumpet and the trombone in popular themes such as El Gavilán, Siqui Siri and Balahú gives the work a national character not found in any other Mexican composition.