Artsource
MUSIC ®
The Music Center’s Study Guide to the Performing Arts
TRANSFORMATION
ENDURING VALUES
ARTISTIC PROCESSES
TRADITIONAL CLASSICAL
1. CREATING (Cr)
CONTEMPORARY
2. PERFORMING, PRESENTING, PRODUCING (Pr)
EXPERIMENTAL
3. RESPONDING (Re)
MULTI-MEDIA
4. CONNECTING (Cn)
FREEDOM & OPPRESSION
THE POWER OF NATURE
THE HUMAN FAMILY
Title of Work:
About the Artwork:
Malagueña Salerosa
Malagueña Salerosa is a standard selection in the mariachi repertoire and is an example of the Mexican ‘singing style’ which was influenced by 19th century Italian opera, and grew in popularity in Mexico during the same period. The vocal soloist in Malagueña is expected to demonstrate the ability
Creators: Producer: Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano Musical Director: Natividad Cano b. 1933
Background Information: It is no surprise that Natividad (Nati) Cano chose music as a career. Born in Ahuisculco, Jalisco, Mexico, he grew up in a family of jornaleros (day workers) who considered music a necessity, a means for earning additional money, as well as a joyous outlet from working the soil. His grandfather played the guitarron, the bass instrument of mariachi ensembles. His father, a versatile musician, played all of the instruments of the mariachi, except the trumpet. Cano began to play the vihuela at the age of six, and at age eight he began six years of violin lessons at the Academia de Musica in Guadalajara. Gradually, Cano’s musical experiences, technical skills and knowledge broadened as he played locally with his father, with the Academia Chamber Orchestra, and later with two professional mariachi groups. As the youngest member of Mariachi Chapala in Mexicali, Cano was selected to be the group’s arranger. He later joined the Tijuana-
to sustain a beautiful high pitch in segments of the verse and refrain. Audiences reward the successful soloist with applause and ‘gritos.’ The song also illustrates two distinctive characteristics often found in mariachi music, changing and simultaneous meters. Sometimes the meter alternates between 6/8 and 3/4 (sesquialtera), at other times the two meters occur simultaneously (ritmo colonial).
Creative Process of the Artist or Culture: Traditionally, musicians of the mariachi memorize their repertoire, often strolling among patrons as they play. They respond to requests which range from the traditional sones to caciones rancheras (country), musica Tejana (Texas-Mexican), musica huasteca (north-eastern regional) and musica jarocha (Veracruz). Los Camperos performs compositions from different regions, however, Cano’s arrangements
based Mariachi Aguila, and after becoming its musical
adhere to the mariachi instrumentation (violins, guitars, vihuelas, trumpets, harp and
director, changed the name to Los Camperos. In 1969 the group became permanently based in Los Angeles where it established a reputation for offering the best in
guitarron), while retaining the spirit of its various origins.
mariachi music. In recognition of his outstanding musicianship, Cano received a National Heritage fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1990. Notable among their recordings are two which were made with Linda Ronstadt, Canciones de Me Padre and Mas Canciones.
Los Angeles “Lose yourself in music and you will find beauty.” Natividad Cano
U.S.A. MEXICO
Jalisco
Gulf of Mexico