Manuel Maria Ponce
Mr. Ponce was a pianist and composer. He was born in Mexico on December 8,1882 and passed away in Mexico on April 24th 1948. “He received his earliest musical training from his sister and sang in the children's choir at the Templo de San Diego. At the age of five, while he was recovering from the measles, he wrote his first piece titled The Dance of the Measles. At age twelve, he was appointed organist at the Cathedral of Aguascalientes and, two years later, composed a famous Gavotte, which was used in programs all over the world by the acclaimed dancer La Argentina.” (guitarramagazine)
Three years after he entered the Conservatorio Nacional in Mexico City, he leaves to Europe and attends school in Germany and Italy. In 1908 he returns to Mexico and aside from becoming a composer, he becomes a teacher and writer in the music industry, criticizing music. Ponce composed guitar, piano and orchestral pieces. “He was the leading Mexican musician of his time, and made a primary contribution to the development of a Mexican national style – a style that could embrace, in succession, impressionist and neo-classical influences.” (Oxford Music Online)
“ In 1910 he formed part of a prestigious panel of judges, also including Pedrell, Fauré and Saint-Saëns, in a composing competition marking the centenary of Mexican independence. Among the numerous recitals given by his pupils was one in 1912 dedicated to the music of Debussy (the first public performance of Debussy’s music in Mexico); the recital was opened by the 11-year-old Carlos Chávez. Also in 1912 Ponce gave a concert of his own works, including the première of his Piano Concerto, which confirmed him as the most important figure in Mexican music at the time. In 1913 he gave a lecture entitled, ‘La musica y la canción mexicana’, which was immediately published and formed the catalyst for the Mexican ‘nationalist’ school. Ponce’s prominence in Mexican intellectual life was assured.” (Oxford Music Online)
Bibliography:
(Oxford Music Online)
A. Segovia: ‘Manuel M. Ponce: Notas y Recuerdos’, Guitar Review, no.7 (1948), 15–16
M. Pincherle: ‘A la memoria de Manuel M. Ponce’, Nuestra música, v/18 (1950), 160–63
J.C. Romero: ‘Efemérides de Manuel (María) Ponce’, Nuestra música, v/2 (1950), 164–202 [incl. work-list]
P. Castellanos: Manuel M. Ponce: ensayo (Mexico City, 1982)
C. Sordo Sodi, ed.: Centenario Manuel M. Ponce 1882–1982 (Aguascalientes, 1982)
C. Otero: Manuel M. Ponce y la guitarra (Mexico City, 1981; Eng. trans., 1983)
M. Alcázar, ed.: The Segovia–Ponce Letters (Columbus, OH, 1989) [Eng. and Sp.]
Discography:
Title / genre Year Avg. Duration
Estrellita for voice & piano (or orchestra) 1913 3:18
Sonata for guitar No. 5 in D major ("Sonatina Méridional") 1932 9:22
Chamber MusicSonata for guitar No. 3 in D minor 1927 15:30
Chamber MusicCanciones (3) Populares Mexicanas, for guitar 1925 5:54
Chamber MusicConcierto del sur for guitar & orchestra 1941 25:14
ConcertoSuite for guitar in A minor ("in the Style of Weiss") 1929 16:22
Chamber MusicScherzino Mexicano, for guitar 1909 2:33
Chamber MusicThème, Varié et Finale for guitar 1926 8:38
Chamber MusicFolias de España, 20 variations and fugue for guitar 1930 22:58
Chamber MusicPreludes (24) for guitar 20:49
Chamber MusicTrio for violin, viola & cello 1943 16:18
Chamber MusicPrelude(s) for guitar 2:31
Chamber MusicWork(s)
Miscellaneous (Classical) Gavota 3:59
Orchestral Suite in the style of Alessandro Scarlatti, for guitar 8:15
Chamber Music Valse for guitar 2:55
Chamber MusicSonata Romántica for guitar 1929 20:31
Chamber MusicMazurka for guitar 1932 3:32
Chamber Music Estrellita, for guitar 2:55
Chamber Music 1948 5:56
Theme, Variations and Fughetta on a Theme by Antonio de Cabezon for guitar
“Orchestral Music
Ponce’s characteristically Mexican music includes an important addition to guitar repertoire: his Concierto del sur (‘Concerto of the South’), written for the guitarist Segovia. Two years later, in 1943, he wrote an effective Violin Concerto, in which he makes use of the best known of his songs, the popular Estrellita.
Guitar Music
As Kreisler did for the violin, so Ponce wrote a series of pastiche pieces for the guitar, attributing them to various composers of the past (this at the request of Segovia, who needed a more extensive repertoire). His compositions for guitar include sonatas, preludes, and a set of variations with a fugue on the traditional melody La folia.
Piano Music
Ponce’s piano music, coloured by national elements, reflects his own interest in the instrument.”
(naxos.com)
References:
http://www.naxos.com/person/Manuel_Maria_Ponce/20981.htm
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/manuel-ponce-mn0000590334/compositions
Oxford Music Online
http://www.guitarramagazine.com/ManuelPonce
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/manuel-ponce-mn0000590334
Mr. Ponce was a pianist and composer. He was born in Mexico on December 8,1882 and passed away in Mexico on April 24th 1948. “He received his earliest musical training from his sister and sang in the children's choir at the Templo de San Diego. At the age of five, while he was recovering from the measles, he wrote his first piece titled The Dance of the Measles. At age twelve, he was appointed organist at the Cathedral of Aguascalientes and, two years later, composed a famous Gavotte, which was used in programs all over the world by the acclaimed dancer La Argentina.” (guitarramagazine)
Three years after he entered the Conservatorio Nacional in Mexico City, he leaves to Europe and attends school in Germany and Italy. In 1908 he returns to Mexico and aside from becoming a composer, he becomes a teacher and writer in the music industry, criticizing music. Ponce composed guitar, piano and orchestral pieces. “He was the leading Mexican musician of his time, and made a primary contribution to the development of a Mexican national style – a style that could embrace, in succession, impressionist and neo-classical influences.” (Oxford Music Online)
“ In 1910 he formed part of a prestigious panel of judges, also including Pedrell, Fauré and Saint-Saëns, in a composing competition marking the centenary of Mexican independence. Among the numerous recitals given by his pupils was one in 1912 dedicated to the music of Debussy (the first public performance of Debussy’s music in Mexico); the recital was opened by the 11-year-old Carlos Chávez. Also in 1912 Ponce gave a concert of his own works, including the première of his Piano Concerto, which confirmed him as the most important figure in Mexican music at the time. In 1913 he gave a lecture entitled, ‘La musica y la canción mexicana’, which was immediately published and formed the catalyst for the Mexican ‘nationalist’ school. Ponce’s prominence in Mexican intellectual life was assured.” (Oxford Music Online)
Bibliography:
(Oxford Music Online)
A. Segovia: ‘Manuel M. Ponce: Notas y Recuerdos’, Guitar Review, no.7 (1948), 15–16
M. Pincherle: ‘A la memoria de Manuel M. Ponce’, Nuestra música, v/18 (1950), 160–63
J.C. Romero: ‘Efemérides de Manuel (María) Ponce’, Nuestra música, v/2 (1950), 164–202 [incl. work-list]
P. Castellanos: Manuel M. Ponce: ensayo (Mexico City, 1982)
C. Sordo Sodi, ed.: Centenario Manuel M. Ponce 1882–1982 (Aguascalientes, 1982)
C. Otero: Manuel M. Ponce y la guitarra (Mexico City, 1981; Eng. trans., 1983)
M. Alcázar, ed.: The Segovia–Ponce Letters (Columbus, OH, 1989) [Eng. and Sp.]
Discography:
Title / genre Year Avg. Duration
Estrellita for voice & piano (or orchestra) 1913 3:18
Sonata for guitar No. 5 in D major ("Sonatina Méridional") 1932 9:22
Chamber MusicSonata for guitar No. 3 in D minor 1927 15:30
Chamber MusicCanciones (3) Populares Mexicanas, for guitar 1925 5:54
Chamber MusicConcierto del sur for guitar & orchestra 1941 25:14
ConcertoSuite for guitar in A minor ("in the Style of Weiss") 1929 16:22
Chamber MusicScherzino Mexicano, for guitar 1909 2:33
Chamber MusicThème, Varié et Finale for guitar 1926 8:38
Chamber MusicFolias de España, 20 variations and fugue for guitar 1930 22:58
Chamber MusicPreludes (24) for guitar 20:49
Chamber MusicTrio for violin, viola & cello 1943 16:18
Chamber MusicPrelude(s) for guitar 2:31
Chamber MusicWork(s)
Miscellaneous (Classical) Gavota 3:59
Orchestral Suite in the style of Alessandro Scarlatti, for guitar 8:15
Chamber Music Valse for guitar 2:55
Chamber MusicSonata Romántica for guitar 1929 20:31
Chamber MusicMazurka for guitar 1932 3:32
Chamber Music Estrellita, for guitar 2:55
Chamber Music 1948 5:56
Theme, Variations and Fughetta on a Theme by Antonio de Cabezon for guitar
“Orchestral Music
Ponce’s characteristically Mexican music includes an important addition to guitar repertoire: his Concierto del sur (‘Concerto of the South’), written for the guitarist Segovia. Two years later, in 1943, he wrote an effective Violin Concerto, in which he makes use of the best known of his songs, the popular Estrellita.
Guitar Music
As Kreisler did for the violin, so Ponce wrote a series of pastiche pieces for the guitar, attributing them to various composers of the past (this at the request of Segovia, who needed a more extensive repertoire). His compositions for guitar include sonatas, preludes, and a set of variations with a fugue on the traditional melody La folia.
Piano Music
Ponce’s piano music, coloured by national elements, reflects his own interest in the instrument.”
(naxos.com)
References:
http://www.naxos.com/person/Manuel_Maria_Ponce/20981.htm
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/manuel-ponce-mn0000590334/compositions
Oxford Music Online
http://www.guitarramagazine.com/ManuelPonce
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/manuel-ponce-mn0000590334