The Music of Mexico

Tlacochahuaya (La Noche del Castillo) Fireworks Night
About the video: As part of lighting fireworks, on some towns, that is also a night where the local band performs the best of their repertoire, and it may include different pieces, depending on the director, and how the musicians have been exposed to other arrangements while they are part of the State or Military Band. Luckily, this time this band seems to be well organized with a very talented director and members. Maestro Jose Angeles Martínez leads them in this performance of this "pasodoble" titled: "Forever Summer" (Sempre Verano)written by Maestro Martín Clavijo from Texcoco in the State of México. The soloist, Constantino Blas Pérez, proudly native of this town, displays a very good technique, sound and color on his trumpet, proof of the flexibility and adaptability of this instrument.



Another beautiful piece is this polka ("Al besarte Concepción") "When I Kiss you Concepción", (Concepción, is a popular girl's name in Latin América). We have this talented musician, Maestro Sergio Garcia Hernández, native of this town, who displays a very good knowledge of this instrument, and the velvety sound of it, combined with the playful tempo and melody gives us a magnificent performance. We can also hear how flexible this instrument has been in its adaptation to different genres. Through them we have proof of how well the bands in the Valley of Oaxaca have developed.



About the video: Every Orchestra, Band or Ensemble holds the tradition of having guest performers. The Band of Maestro Jose Angeles Martinez in Tlacochahuaya also puts that into practice, as a way to enrich the Band's performance with the talent and expertise of outside musicians. These are long time friends that Maestro Angeles has known when he was part of the State and Military Band, and also some musical organizations in Mexico City. Here, we have Maestro Erasmo Vasquez Martinez from the nearby town of Macuilxochitl performing "Czardas", a piece form the famous Italian composer Vittorio Monti. The piece seems very sober and melancholic in its beginning, but suddenly turns the tone into something full of charm and joy, proving the sweetness of woodwind trought the clarinet.



About the video: Another talented guest musician is Maestro Junior Martinez Garcia from the nearby town of Guelace, who interprets this "pasodoble" titled: "The Virgin of Tepeyac". This performer dispalys a very advanced technique and some notes are remarked with such brightness, that it matches perfectly with the genre, since "pasodobles" are ususally related to bullfight.



Ths pasodoble "The Virgin of Tepeyac" was interpreted by both, a local and a guest musician in the same performance, I only divided the video for it to upload propperly. Is the turn now for Maestro Constantino Blas Perez, proudly native of Tlacochahuaya, to delight us. Displays a very mature technique and also a soft dark sound, yet with a good balance in color and brightness.



This polka is titled "Hilda", which is also a popular girl's name in Latin America. This night concert was held to light fireworks to celebrate St. Jeronimo in Tlacochahuaya, Oaxaca, on September 2006. It is closed beautifully with a local talent, Maestro Constanino Blas Perez. Trough this magnificent performace we have an example of the great development that Philharmonic Bands have achieved in Oaxaca, and the skills of musicians and directors in this towns.