The Washington times., 1901-10-20
MUSIC OF The MBXICANS.
A Land Where Harmony and Com
position Is Unborn.
Even the Lowest and Poorest Classes
Understund Violin and Guitar.
village Binds Evcrywhcre-BOvy
National Anthem Was Produced.

Most visitors to the Midway" at the
Pan-American Exposition, probably
strolled into the so-called Streets of
Mexico" In doing so they found them
selves, in all likelihood, in the court
yard of a hacienda, partating of liquid
refreshment and listening to the strains
of by no means unmusiCal set of mu-
sicians who evoked sweet strains from
the guitar, the mandolin, and an in
strument much like the old lutte which
figures so prominently in the delicious
romances of Mrs Radcliffe.
Musical taste and skill seem inborn
in the Mexicans," said a gentleman
who sat at the same table with one of
the visitors before mentioned. L heard
a very good band in Atzcapotzalco.
which was composed of the poorest
class of Indians. Not one of the mu-
sicians wore shoes, or coat, or any 9TH
er than the grimiest looking linen
trousers. And, as you will notice in
these fellows, one characteristic of the
musical performances of the Mexicans
is precision of time, it is especially
marked in the little serenading parties
that wake you up in the mountain viii
lagos and provincial towns.
''As for the people of Mexico gener-
ally. it may be said not only that they
appreciate good music, but that they
will tolerate no music that is not good.
This is nothing new, for Madame Cal
deron de la Barca, early in the last cen
tury, called attention to the love of
music which pervaded all classes of so
ciety. And a writer upon Mexico, over
half a century ago, cites a curious par
allel to the story of Stradella. 1t was
at time when the stage coaches be-
tween the cities Of Mexico and Vera
Cruz were frequently waylaid and their
passengers robbed of all they possessed
by those counterparts of Italian BIZ
gands who have been practically exter-
minated by the drastic measures taken
by President DiaX. Well at the time
when these robbers thrived a famous
tenor was once a passenger on his way
to the Gulf coast from the capital,
where he had filled a successful en-
gagement. Being recognized by the
highwaymen who held up the whole
stage load. he was offered a chance to
secure his life and liberty by singing.
In his nervous condition his first ef-
forts We're futile The robbers insisted
that he could do better, and. further
more, that he better had they strong
ly limited that, unless he did as well
for them as for the fashionable audi
ences of the capital he would never
sing any more. Regaining his self
possession after repeated efforts, he
succeeded at length in satisfying his
hearers. He afterward said that he had
never done so well, nor did he ever
have an audience at once SO apprecia-
tive and critical
"A few years ago the prima donna Of
Mexico was la Senorita Angela Per
alta. who enjoyed something of a Eu-
ropean reputation and had sung with
success in some OF our American cities.
heard her in Norma in a little barn
like theatre on the frontier. She died
the following summer, some time in
the SOS, of tonic fever. ! subsequent
ly had an opportunity to witness the
hold she had on the affections of the
from a balcony on one of the streets
of the City of Mexico the parade of the
18th of September, the birthday of
Mexican Independence Among the al
iegorical cars advancing along the
street was one representing the music
of Mexico. 1t had been arranged by
the National Conservatory, and con
he
Peralta. AS the name caught the eyes
of dozen or so ladies upon the ball
cony adjoining mine there was a cheer,
distinctly heard above the clamor of
the street, and shower Of nosegays
fell upon the car. AS the car passed
down the street II was everywhere
greeted with cheers and flowers.
The visitor is apt to be disappoint-
ed with the church music Of Mexico.
In some Of the churches in the frontier
towns on Good Friday l have listened
to some of the most weird music imag-
Unable, from guitars and yiolins-my
flesh creeps yet at the recollection of
those uncanny strains. Were l in the
City of Mexico. however, 1 would not
willingly miss the great doubIe-or-
gan played in the cathedral In the
dim religious light of that beautiful,
wonderful old building, the grand, re-
verberating strains have most pow
erful effect.
Noticeable at the performances of
the National Conservatory was the
prominent part taken by ladies. Not
only harps and violins are played by
them, but also violoncellos and bass
viols. The ladies in Mexico give CON
siderable attention to composing. and
it is no uncommon thing at an evening
party for lady to be asked to favor
own composition
La Golondrina' is said to be. by |
most who have heard it adequately rem [
dered, to be the sweetest. saddest, most /
pathetic song of any land. / have never 4
been able to learn its history Prob /
ably 1t is Spanish-not Mexican at all. !
The romantic story Of its origin is, that /
it was inspired by Boabdrs lament .
over the expulsion of the Moors from
their city; another version is that it .
the expulsion OF tie
nuns from the City of Mexico half a ]!
ago The name signifies The |
Swallow in English.
THE story of the Mexican national !
or 'El Himno Nacional,' is in
teresting. especially as it furnishes a
hint to us, who have no national hymn.
In December, 1853, Gen. Santa Anna
being President Of the Republic Of |
Mexico it was deemed by the Govern
ment right and proper that the nation
should have a hymn wortnily singing