Musical Ritual in Mexico City : From the Aztec to NAFTA

On the Zocalo, the main square of Mexico City, Mexico's entire musical history is performed every day. 'Mexica' percussionists drum and dance to the music of Aztec rituals on the open plaza. Inside the Metropolitan Cathedral, choristers sing colonial villancicos. Outside the National Palace, the Mexican army marching band plays the 'Himno Nacional', a vestige of the nineteenth century. And all around the square, people listen to the contemporary sounds of pop, rock, and musica grupera. In all, some seven centuries of music maintain a living presence in the modern city. This book offers an up-to-date, comprehensive history and ethnography of musical rituals in the world's largest city. Mark Pedelty details the dominant musical rites of the Aztec, colonial, national, revolutionary, modern, and contemporary eras, analyzing the role that musical ritual played in governance, resistance, and social change. His approach is twofold. Historical chapters describe the rituals and their functions, while ethnographic chapters explore how these musical forms continue to resonate in contemporary Mexican society. As a whole, this book provides a living record of cultural continuity, change, and vitality. On The Zocalo, The Main Square Of Mexico City, Mexico's Entire Musical History Is Performed Every Day. Mexica Percussionists Drum And Dance To The Music Of Aztec Rituals On The Open Plaza. Inside The Metropolitan Cathedral, Choristers Sing Colonial Villancicos. Outside The National Palace, The Mexican Army Marching Band Plays The Himno Nacional, A Vestige Of The Nineteenth Century. And All Around The Square, People Listen To The Contemporary Sounds Of Pop, Rock, And Musica Grupera. In All, Some Seven Centuries Of Music Maintain A Living Presence In The Modern City. This Book Offers An Up-to-date History And Ethnography Of Musical Rituals In The World's Largest City. Mark Pedelty Details The Dominant Musical Rites Of The Aztec, Colonial, National, Revolutionary, Modern, And Contemporary Eras, Analyzing The Role That Musical Ritual Played In Governance, Resistance, And Social Change. His Approach Is Twofold. Historical Chapters Describe The Rituals And Their Functions, While Ethnographic Chapters Explore How These Musical Forms Continue To Resonate In Contemporary Mexican Society. As A Whole, The Book Is At Once Descriptive Documentary, Critical Analysis, And Celebration Of Mexico's Vibrant Musical Culture. From Mexica Ceremonies To Mariachi Concerts, It Provides A Living Record Of Cultural Continuity, Change, And Vitality.--jacket. Introduction -- The Mexica: 1325-1521 -- Tenochtitlǹ: 1325-1521 -- Mesoamerican Resonance -- New Spain: 1521-1821 -- Colonial Mexico: 1521-1821 -- Colonial Resonance -- The New Nation: 1821-1910 -- The First Century Of Independence: 1821-1910 -- Nineteenth-century Resonance -- The Revolution: 1910-1921 -- Revolutionary Mexico: 1910-1921 -- Revolutionary Resonance -- Modern Mexico: 1921-1968 -- Bolero And Danzʹon During The Postrevolutionary Era -- Bolero And Danzʹon Today -- Classical Nationalism During The Postrevolutionary Era -- Classical Nationalism Today -- Ranchera During The Postrevolutionary Era And At Mid-century -- Ranchera Today -- Contemporary Mexico: 1968-2002 -- Popular Music Today -- Conclusion. Mark Pedelty. Includes Discography (p. [315]-319), Bibliographical References (p. [321]-333), And Index. "On the Zocalo, the main square of Mexico City, Mexico's entire musical history is performed every day. "Mexica" percussionists drum and dance to the music of Aztec rituals on the open plaza. Inside the Metropolitan Cathedral, choristers sing colonial villancicos. Outside the National Palace, the Mexican army marching band plays the "Himno Nacional," a vestige of the nineteenth century. And all around the square, people listen to the contemporary sounds of pop, rock, and musica grupera. In all, some seven centuries of music maintain a living presence in the modern city." "This book offers an up-to-date history and ethnography of musical rituals in the world's largest city. Mark Pedelty details the dominant musical rites of the Aztec, colonial, national, revolutionary, modern, and contemporary eras, analyzing the role that musical ritual played in governance, resistance, and social change. His approach is twofold. Historical chapters describe the rituals and their functions, while ethnographic chapters explore how these musical forms continue to resonate in contemporary Mexican society. As a whole, the book is at once descriptive documentary, critical analysis, and celebration of Mexico's vibrant musical culture. From Mexica ceremonies to mariachi concerts, it provides a living record of cultural continuity, change, and vitality."--BOOK JACKET. On the Zócalo, the main square of Mexico City, Mexico's entire musical history is performed every day. "Mexica" percussionists drum and dance to the music of Aztec rituals on the open plaza. Inside the Metropolitan Cathedral, choristers sing colonial villancicos. Outside the National Palace, the Mexican army marching band plays the "Himno Nacional," a vestige of the nineteenth century. And all around the square, people listen to the contemporary sounds of pop, rock, and música grupera. In all, some seven centuries of music maintain a living presence in the modern city. This book offers an up-to-date, comprehensive history and ethnography of musical rituals in the world's largest city. Mark Pedelty details the dominant musical rites of the Aztec, colonial, national, revolutionary, modern, and contemporary eras, analyzing the role that musical ritual played in governance, resistance, and social change. His approach is twofold. Historical chapters describe the rituals and their functions, while ethnographic chapters explore how these musical forms continue to resonate in contemporary Mexican society. As a whole, the book provides a living record of cultural continuity, change, and vitality.