Here's a very attractive item from Mexico and its eminent composer, Carlos Chávez. It is a suite from La Hija de Colquide (The Daughter of Colchis), a ballet written in 1943 for Martha Graham.
The ballet was to be on the Medea legend, but Graham changed it to a ballet called Dark Meadow after receiving Chávez's music. The composer nonetheless published the music under the original title.
The ballet suite has been recorded a number of times, but this is the original recording conducted by the composer. I haven't been able to trace a reissue since this 1951 LP. Despite that date, I believe the recordings may have been made in the 1940s. The Symphony Orchestra of Mexico had been superseded by the National Symphony Orchestra by the time this record came out.
Not sure what the creatures on the cover have to do with Medea, but they all look apprehensive about something. Might have been checking out her hairdo. The artist is Erik Nitsche, a superb graphic designer who did many covers for Decca. More info on him here.
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7 comments:
Now, see, this is why I love your blog: not only do you provide some incredible old recordings, but in addition to information about the music itself you toss in bonus info about cover artists and the like. On top of that, you've introduced me to, among other things, the wonderful playing of Noel Mewton-Wood.
Here's hoping you keep this baby up and running for a long, looong time to come.
Thanks for taking the time to write. Comments like yours certainly make me (and others with blogs like this) want to continue. You help make it worthwhile!
This is wonderful - many thanks! Is there any chance that you also have the Decca LP 'Music of Mexico' with the remaining Chavez recordings from Mexico?
@ maestro - Sorry, I looked and I don't have that Decca recording.
rapidsyare sez 'file not found,' PLEASE reup! Many thanks!
Mil veces mil gracias, estimado sen~or! Unlike anything else of his
I've heard. Did Columbia issue their 78 set of Mexican music [Set
414]? I think it would have fit on aa well-filled 10-incher.
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