MANUEL PONCE (1882-1948): Complete Piano Works, Vol. 1 - Estrellita "Metamorfosis de concierto", Preludio mexicano "Cielito lindo", A la orilla de un palmar, Serenata mexicana "Alevántate", Valentina, Ven, ¡Oh luna!, Preludio mexicano "Cuiden su vida", Arrulladora mexicana "La Rancherita", Barcarola mexicana "Xochimilco", Mañanitas, Scherzino mexicano, Scherzino maya, Intermezzo No. 1, Mazurka de salón in A Flat, Mazurka in D Minor, Mazurka a la española, Preludio romántico, 2 Études, Sonatine, 4 danzas mexicanas.

Description: As the founder of Mexican musical nationalism, Ponce's piano works give us exactly what we'd expect: almost everything here is based on actual Mexican folk melodies, from the north, the central part, the gulf coasts and the Yucatan peninsula (Ponce was very careful about giving each regional piece its true character in his settings). Of the native Mexican source music, only the 4 danzas mexicanas depart from this scheme; they are homages to the late 19th century piano style of Felipe Villanueva. Showing Ponce's versatility are the Etudes and the Sonatine, both of which were written in Paris in the early 30s and are in a harder, more modernistic (for that time) idiom. Álvaro Cendoya (piano).