born June 13, 1899, Mexico City, Mex.
died Aug. 2, 1978, Mexico City
Mexican composer and conductor.
Trained as a pianist, he was largely self-taught as a composer. When Mexico's first permanent symphony orchestra was formed in 1928, he became its director; he held the post for 20 years, touring widely and conducting many premiere performances. As director of the National Conservatory (192834), he reformed the curriculum and organized several concert series. He was Mexico's most prominent and honoured musician of the 20th century. His works, notable for their rhythmic vitality and orchestral colour, include seven symphonies; Sinfonía de Antígona (1933) and Sinfonía india (1936), both one-movement works on Mexican Indian themes; the highly percussive Concerto No. 1 for Piano and Orchestra (1940); and Xochipilli Macuilxochitl (1940) for orchestra with Indian instruments.