Program Type

Undergraduate

Faculty Advisor

Dr. Phoebe Robertson

Document Type

Presentation

Location

Face-to-face

Start Date

18-4-2024 9:00 AM

End Date

18-4-2024 9:30 AM

Abstract

In the last 25 years, there has been a resurgence in Latin American ethnomusicology. This means that, while interest continues to grow, there are several gaps, especially when it comes to the contributions of women. Interestingly, some of these gaps surround the popular Mexican composer María Grever. This includes the lack of information on the variety of sources she gathered inspiration from for composition. Through analyzing Grever's compositional style, especially in the bolero ‘A Una Ola,’or ‘To a Wave,’ I will examine the relationship that Grever employs between the classical Romantic approach and Latin American techniques, especially Mexican folk. While consulting biographical sources that include varying levels of information about her life and works, I studied several accounts examining the role of women in music in Latin America. I also researched the evolution of Latin American techniques into the 20th century and European techniques being used in Late Romantic music. I analyzed ‘A Una Ola’ and did a comparative analysis of its relationship with similar works by Grever and other composers. I will play different recordings of ‘A Una Ola,’ one of which includes myself and another Tech student performing.

María Grever defied odds through her position as a Mexican female composer in America, and was influenced by classical Romantic ideals and traditional Latin American techniques, especially folk. Her song, ‘A Una Ola,’ exemplifies how these influences took hold in her early compositions. This paper further concludes that Grever was a major influence on not only women and Latin American composers, but on bridging the gap between traditional Mexican techniques and classical Romantic techniques, as well as bridging the gap between classical and popular music in the early-mid 20th century.

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Apr 18th, 9:00 AM Apr 18th, 9:30 AM

María Grever: Influence Through Mexican Folk and Classical Romantic Techniques and Ideals In ‘A Una Ola.’

Face-to-face

In the last 25 years, there has been a resurgence in Latin American ethnomusicology. This means that, while interest continues to grow, there are several gaps, especially when it comes to the contributions of women. Interestingly, some of these gaps surround the popular Mexican composer María Grever. This includes the lack of information on the variety of sources she gathered inspiration from for composition. Through analyzing Grever's compositional style, especially in the bolero ‘A Una Ola,’or ‘To a Wave,’ I will examine the relationship that Grever employs between the classical Romantic approach and Latin American techniques, especially Mexican folk. While consulting biographical sources that include varying levels of information about her life and works, I studied several accounts examining the role of women in music in Latin America. I also researched the evolution of Latin American techniques into the 20th century and European techniques being used in Late Romantic music. I analyzed ‘A Una Ola’ and did a comparative analysis of its relationship with similar works by Grever and other composers. I will play different recordings of ‘A Una Ola,’ one of which includes myself and another Tech student performing.

María Grever defied odds through her position as a Mexican female composer in America, and was influenced by classical Romantic ideals and traditional Latin American techniques, especially folk. Her song, ‘A Una Ola,’ exemplifies how these influences took hold in her early compositions. This paper further concludes that Grever was a major influence on not only women and Latin American composers, but on bridging the gap between traditional Mexican techniques and classical Romantic techniques, as well as bridging the gap between classical and popular music in the early-mid 20th century.