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Genre: Chamber music
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Scoring: 2vn vla vc

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composition

Eclectic Huapango and Two Dances : String quartet Nº 1 / Alfonso Molina

Other authors:
Molina, Alfonso (Composer)
Description:
This string quartet is based on three Mexican traditional rituals from the prehispanic world, that have prevailed after the Spanish conquest of Mexico. This quartet uses rhythmic motifs from the old and new Mexican culture. The Huapango rhythm — which is normally used in Mexican songs from the Huasteca Potosina region — is used as an ostinato rhythm at the beginning of the piece, using a ternary basic unit.
The second movement (Dance I) is based on a traditional ritual from the Totonac indians from the Gulf of Mexico that is still celebrated today in the 21st century, with the name of “The Flyers of Papantla”, where four men slowly descend a high pole, to which they are all tied to with a rope to one of their feet, while another one plays a pentatonic flute from the top of the pole. This ritual represents the five elements from the indigenous world that they treasure, as well as the changes that take place during the year in their community.
The third movement (Dance II) is based on the prehispanic conception, that volcanic stones hold old souls inside them and that these souls, escape in the form of sparks when being exposed to fire.