Chávez, Carlos (1899-1978)

Mexican composer. He was taught music as a child by his brother and two casual teachers, but later went to Europe and New York to gain experience. In 1928 he founded a Mexican symphony orchestra, of which he later became conductor, and the same year he became director of the National Conservatory. A post in the Department of Fine Arts enabled him to do still more for the country's musical reorganization, and he did much to explore Mexican folk music.

Works opera Panfilo and Lauretta (1953, produced in New York in 1957), ballets El fuego nuevo, Los cuatro soles and H P; Sinfonía de Antígona, Sinfonía proletaria and Sinfonía India for orchestra; concertos for harp and for piano and orchestra; Energía for instrumental ensemble, El sol for chorus and orchestra; three string quartets (1921, 1932, 1944); sonata for four horns; piano pieces.