Complete Symphonies

Carlos Chávez is one of Mexico's most important and prolific 20th century
composers. He championed the symphony form at a time when it was generally neglected by other Latin American composers, and the results are magnificent: when his first symphony Sinfonía de Antígona was premiered in 1933, invoking the best of Mexican tradition in a revived symphonic form, it received a rapturous reception, and led to a burst of inspiration for Chávez, who went on to compose five more symphonies before his death in 1978. He became a master of the symphony, developing and improving his style over the course of his life to great effect; the last movement of his Symphony No.6, a breathtakingly rapid Passacaglia, contains an astonishing 34 variations. This recording also includes his work Sinfonía india, arguably Chávez's bestknown piece, which features his use of indigenous Mexican instruments, played here with extraordinary lyricism and sensitivity.

Only a world‐class orchestra can be entrusted with showcasing the Latin American flair so crucial to Chávez's work. This release features the London Symphony Orchestra in an historic performance from 1981, conducted by the late Mexican conductor Eduardo Mata. A passionate supporter of 20th century Latin American music his entire life, Mata demonstrates on this release why his glowing reputation - still intact some 20 years after his death - is so well deserved.