Carlos Chavez (1899-1978)

[Sef]

I had just finished listening to Kurt Atterberg's 6th symphony in my car (from the complete symphonies box set - wonderful), and switched over to the radio, and heard something I didn't recognize. Not too strange I know, but what I heard was so intriguing that I had to go on to the radio's web site when I got to work to find out what it was. Anyway, it was Carlos Chavez Symphony No. 4. That surprised me, as it sounded quite late Romantic European I thought. Bottom line is that I enjoyed it. What do any of you think?

[karlhenning]

I had just finished listening to Kurt Atterberg's 6th symphony in my car (from the complete symphonies box set - wonderful), and switched over to the radio, and heard something I didn't recognize. Not too strange I know, but what I heard was so intriguing that I had to go on to the radio's web site when I got to work to find out what it was. Anyway, it was Carlos Chavez Symphony No. 4. That surprised me, as it sounded quite late Romantic European I thought. Bottom line is that I enjoyed it. What do any of you think?

Very fine music, indeed;  I greatly enjoy the Mata/LSO box of six symphonies . . . which is labeled "Complete Symphonies," but I read that there is a Seventh.  Haven't been able to find any information on the Seventh, at all, though.

[Sef]

Very fine music, indeed;  I greatly enjoy the Mata/LSO box of six symphonies . . . which is labeled "Complete Symphonies," but I read that there is a Seventh.  Haven't been able to find any information on the Seventh, at all, though.

I put a hold on this box set at the local library this morning! That fact that it is currently out would seem to suggest that I am not the only one in my smallish town interested in this composer.

[jochanaan]

...That surprised me, as it sounded quite late Romantic European I thought...

Interesting.  The only music by Chavez that I know is the Sinfonia india (#2?), and it's many interesting things, but doesn't sound either particularly European or very Romantic.  But composers have been know to change and mix styles.

[Sef]

Interesting.  The only music by Chavez that I know is the Sinfonia india (#2?), and it's many interesting things, but doesn't sound either particularly European or very Romantic.  But composers have been know to change and mix styles.

The first thought that came to my head was Shostakovich without the drama. Naxos describes his music as "highly distinctive use of crossrhythms, syncopation, irregular meter and colourful orchestration". I think I'd need to emphasize the late in late romantic.

[Dundonnell]

(Should this thread be in the Composer Discussion Forum?)

I have never heard of a Seventh Symphony. The Chavez website doesn't list one-

http://www.chez.com/craton/musique/chavez/english.htm

[Sef]

Interesting.  The only music by Chavez that I know is the Sinfonia india (#2?), and it's many interesting things, but doesn't sound either particularly European or very Romantic.  But composers have been know to change and mix styles.

.... and the 4th Symphony is subtitled the Romantic!

[karlhenning]

(Should this thread be in the Composer Discussion Forum?)

Probably!

I have never heard of a Seventh Symphony. The Chavez website doesn't list one-

http://www.chez.com/craton/musique/chavez/english.htm

I remember not turning up any other reference to it;  so I wonder if it is an erratum in the article on Chávez in the Harvard Biographical Dictionary . . . .

[Dundonnell]

Must be something about seventh symphonies

I know that Camargo Guarnieri, the Brazilian composer, wrote at least six-BIS has released them and I have them all   but I am sure that I read somewhere that he actually wrote seven and I can't trace a seventh either

Guarnieri btw was a fine composer and I actually think that his symphonies(and the piano concertos too) are both a lot more disciplined than those by his more famous countryman Villa-Lobos(though that wouldn't be too hard ) but also more impressive!

[vandermolen]

Great composer. Craggy and mysterious, reminds me of Havergal Brian. Favourites are the No 2 and No 4. I have the Vox box set. Must listen to No 6 which is highly regarded.

[Sef]

Great composer. Craggy and mysterious, reminds me of Havergal Brian. Favourites are the No 2 and No 4. I have the Vox box set. Must listen to No 6 which is highly regarded.

"Craggy and mysterious" is right up my street - hurry up and return that box set to the library!

[vandermolen]

"Craggy and mysterious" is right up my street - hurry up and return that box set to the library!

Certainly not! I purchased it with my very own hard-earned money. There is a v good ASV CD too with the very craggy, Brian-like (IMHO) Sinfonia de Antigone (which I should have listed as one of my favourites) and Sinfonia India and Symphony No 4 (Cond. Enrique Batiz). A great starting point for investigating Chavez (CD DCA 1058).

[Daverz]

Interesting.  The only music by Chavez that I know is the Sinfonia india (#2?), and it's many interesting things, but doesn't sound either particularly European or very Romantic.  But composers have been know to change and mix styles.

The later symphonies are more neo-Classical.  Craggy is a good description.  The spirit of Beethoven's more difficult works came to mind when I heard them (though certainly not the sound of Beethoven).

[The new erato]

I bought a disc of his three string quartets (played by the Quarteto Latinoamerica) and found very little of the adventureness of his orchestral music (which I admittedly tend to think occasionally turns more to mannerism than into very interesting music). Initially I fund the quite dull, after 3 listens I find them OK but not very original and communicative (that is, with little to say).

[Dundonnell]

On more careful examination of the Chavez website(linked above) I do see a Sinfonia for orchestra from 1918(when the composer was 20) and a Sinfonia Proletaria for chorus and orchestra 'Llamads' from 1934.

So one or either of these could count as a 'seventh symphony'

[Grazioso]

I've had the Vox box of the symphonies on my shelf for a few months, and this thread inspired me to break it out for the first time. I really enjoyed the Sinfonia India! It has a very distinctive New World sound, in part because of the way it draws on Native American melodies. It reminds me a bit of Revueltas, Copland, and the soundtracks of classic Hollywood westerns.

[karlhenning]

On more careful examination of the Chavez website(linked above) I do see a Sinfonia for orchestra from 1918(when the composer was 20) and a Sinfonia Proletaria for chorus and orchestra 'Llamads' from 1934.

So one or either of these could count as a 'seventh symphony'

No, no;  according to the Harvard Biographical Dictionary, an actual no. 7, at a date later than no. 6 . . . I'll try to dig it up today or tommorow.

[Dundonnell]

No, no;  according to the Harvard Biographical Dictionary, an actual no. 7, at a date later than no. 6 . . . I'll try to dig it up today or tommorow.

Well...he sure did write half of No.7 at least

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,871041,00.html?iid=digg_share

[arkiv]

He made the first steps of the 7th, but the score is no accessible.

[Dundonnell]

He made the first steps of the 7th, but the score is no accessible.

Ah! Thanks for that information