#Classicsaday #ClassicalMexico Week 1, 2025
By Ralph Graves
Our neighbor to the south has a long, rich history of classical music. A much longer history than ours, in fact. For May, the Classics a Day team encourages folks to post videos of Mexican classical music.
There’s a lot to choose from. The first composers in New Spain were writing in the 1500s.
Here are my posts for the first week of #ClassicalMexico.
05/01/25 Manuel de Zumaya (1678–1755): Aunque al sueño
Zumaya was born in Mexico. He was organist at the Mexico City Cathedral, and his music combines late-Renaissance, Baroque, and native musical styles. He’s considered Mexico’s greatest composer of the Baroque era.
05/02/25 Juan Gutierrez de Padilla (ca. 1590-1664): En la noche más Buena
Padilla emigrated to Mexico when he was about 30. He soon became Maestro of the Puebla de Los Angeles Cathedral. His music blends late Renaissance style with indigenous music traditions.
05/05/25 Juan García de Zéspedes (c. 1619 – 1678): Convidando está la Noche
Zéspedes was a native of Mexico. He was a singer, viola da gamba player, and composer. His sacred works incorporate native music rhythms.
05/06/25 José María Bustamante (1777–1861): Habandera
Bustamante taught at the first conservatory in Latin America (founded in 1824). He was also active in the Mexican independence movement.
05/07/25 José Mariano Elízaga (1786–1842): Dúo de las Siete Palabras
Elizaga is considered the first great composer of independent Mexico. He founded one of the first music conservatories in America (1825) and established the first music printing press in Mexico.
05/08/25 Cenobio Paniagua (1821–1882): String Quartet No. 1
Paniagua was known primarily for his vocal works. He composed several operas, including the first Mexican opera seria. He was also a violinist and conductor.
05/09/25 Aniceto Ortega (1825–1875): Marcha Zaragoza
Ortega was a physician, composer, and pianist. He composed one of the earliest Mexican operas that used an indigenous story. The Marcha Zaragoza is his most popular work.
