Revueltas, Silvestre (1899–1940)

Mexican violinist and composer. His music has great vigour and rhythmic power. His best-known work, Sensemaya, is an orchestral depiction of a snake-killing ritual.

He studied at Mexico City and at St Edward's College, Austin, Texas, USA; he also studied composition with Felix Borowski at Chicago. He was appointed at Mexico City as violinist 1920–22, but continued to study the instrument under P Kochansky and Otakar Ševčik (1922–26). Later he gave recitals of modern music with Carlos Chávez as pianist, and after some theatre appointments joined the Orquesta Sinfónica at Mexico City as Chávez's assistant conductor 1929–35. He also became professor at the Conservatory there.

Works Film music music for numerous films: Cuauhnahuac, Esquinas (1930), Ventanas, Alcancías (1932), Colorines, Planos (1934), Caminos, Janitzio, homenaje á García Lorca, El renacuajo paseador, Sensemayá, and other pieces for orchestra.

Chamber and vocal toccata for violin and small orchestra; two string quartets (1930, 1931); Feria for string quartet; pieces for violin and piano; Siete canciones and other songs.