The Mexican American Experience, a radio program produced by the Longhorn Radio Network, includes interviews, music, and informational programs related to the Mexican American community and their concerns. Program summary: Linda Fregoso speaks with several ethnomusicologists as she traces the origins of Mariachi music and how it has changed over time. Fregoso explains that mariachi music mixes elements of African, Indigenous and European music and that it was originally the music of Mexico's rural poor. Mariachi, however, has now become synonymous with Mexican music and nationalism. The genre originated in Jalisco, Mexico, and as Mark Fogelquist, an ethnomusicologist explains, it incorporated Spanish popular verses from the 18th century and earlier. Fregoso then discusses the possible origins of the word mariachi. Fogelquist also explains the evolution of Mariachi instrumentation. Fogelquist next speaks about the various musical influences mariachi music has incorporated, including aspects of the polka and cumbia. He explains that mariachi is most related to the son style of music, which was heavily influenced by African rhythms. Dan Sheehy of the National Endowment for the Arts then discusses the complexity of sones, and he explores the effects of commercialization on the mariachi repertoire. Fregoso then discusses the history of the most famous mariachi group, the Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán and their innovative style and dedicated musicianship. Fregoso explains that as mariachi music has become increasingly commercialized, its quality has declined, and Heriberto Molina, the spokesman for Mariachi Vargas, says that he would like to see Mexican musicians strive for excellence and not just commercial success. Keywords: African Presence in Mexico, Bill Faulkner, Cielito Lindo, Commercialism, Consumer Culture, Copla Popular, Cornetine, Cumbia, Dan Dickey, Daniel Sheehy, El Pasajero, Escapularios, Gaspar Vargas, Guadalajara, Guitarron, Harp, Heriberto Molina, J. H. Kwabena Nketia, Jalisco, Jonathan Clark, Juan Gonzalez, Lazaro Cárdenas, Mariachi, Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan, Mark Fogelquist, Marketplace, Mexican Immigration, Mexico, Mexico Lindo, Music, Nahuatl, National Endowment for the Arts, Nationalism, Nostalgia, Nueva Galicia, Oratorios, Pasodoble, Polka, Popular Culture, Popular Verse, Rodriguez Marin, Ruben Fuentes, Serenata, Silvestre Vargas, Son, Son Huasteco, Son Jalisciense, Son Jarocho, Sones, Spain, The Music of Africa, Traditional Mexican Music, Transnationalism, Vicente Mendoza, Vihuela, Waltz, Weddings. Broadcast date: 1981-10-01.
Creator/Contributor:
Longhorn Radio Network (creator), Fregoso, Rosa Linda. (host), Faulkner, Bill (interviewee), Sheehy, Daniel, 1947- (interviewee), Molina, Heriberto (interviewee), and Fogelquist, Mark (interviewee)
Date Created/Date Issued:
1979-09
Owning Repository:
Benson Latin American Collection, LLILAS Benson Latin American Studies and Collections, The University of Texas at Austin
sound recordings, grabaciones sonoras, radio programs, programas de radio, and Audio
Extent:
25 minutes, 9 seconds
Rights - Use and Reproduction:
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Language:
English and Spanish
Place of Publication:
Austin (Tex.)
Topic:
Mariachis, Mariachi, Mexican Americans--Social life and customs, Mexicano americanos--Vida social y costumbres, Mexican Americans--Music, Folk music, Musical instruments, and Música folclórica
Time Period Covered:
1980-1989
Place Name:
Spain, Mexico, Guadalajara (Mexico), Africa, and Jalisco (Mexico: State)