Philip Glass celebrates Mexican music at Bellas Artes

Philip Glass

still remembers the music lessons that the Huichol people taught him the first time he had the opportunity to approach their indigenous world. While he climbed the sacred mountain of Wirikuta , the musicians played their instruments along the way. There are many things that can’t be learned in books, and this was one of them, reminisced the pianist last Thursday when talking about the concert programme that will be presented to celebrate his 80th birthday this weekend in Mexico City .

The composer, born in Baltimore, is to give two more concerts this weekend at the Palacio de Bellas Artes ’ Main Hall (Palace of Fine Arts), accompanied by soloists, Mexican ensembles, and close collaborators. The programme, he said, will be an offering to Mexican culture, which has enabled him to submerge into a unique and wonderful world. “Out of all the countries I’ve visited, Mexico is one of the richest, its history is there, in plain sight,” he expressed in his interview. In a press conference, the musician recalled that his rapprochement to traditional Mexican roots began more than 15 years ago; he also spoke of challenging, yet rewarding experiences he’s had with indigenous musicians and singers, such as Daniel Medina de la Rosa , a Wixáritari singer and violinist, and Erasmo Medina , specialized in Wixáritari guitar, with whom he will present the musical piece " HIKURI ", named after peyote , a cactus the Huichol people hold sacred .

“Indigenous music has been a cornerstone in my approach to this wonderful country,” said the musician, who pointed out how important it is to celebrate and honor different cultures. “The multiculturalism here is interesting, fascinating, and unique,” he stated.

The programme will also include his Symphony No. 7, “Toltec” , which hadn’t been played in Mexico before. The symphony is inspired by the sacred trinity of the wixáritari , with each movement representing a different element: Corn, Hikuri (the sacred root), and finally, the blue deer Kauyumari . The piece was created to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Leonard Slatkin , a famous orchestra conductor, and was premiered in 2005 , at the Kennedy Center in Washington .

The last two concerts will be held today at 20:00 hours and tomorrow at 12:15 in Bellas Artes . Tonight’s show will include the participation of an international lineup to play some of the composer’s famous pieces: The Latin-American Quartet , soprano Olivia Gorra , pianist James Demster , and actor Diego Luna , who will perform a reading of the poem "Wichita Vortex Sutra", by Allen Ginsberg .

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