This is the third volume in this phenomenal series devoted to Mexicoís greatest 20th century composer (volumes 1 and 2, CB8850 and CB8851 respectively won the 2003 and 2004 GRAMMYS in their categories). In this international collaboration between Southwest Chamber Music and Mexicoís Tambuco Percussion Ensemble, we hear a celebration of the composerís native culture, with such powerful works as Xochipilli (a pre-Columbian god of music) and the vocal works Cuatro Melodias and Lamentaciones. The other vocal works, with their melodic gifts, come close to revealing the operatic composer Chavez could have been. Of particular interest are the percussion works: the famous Toccata is here, along with Tambuco and one of his final works, the Partita for Solo Tympani. In between is the dramatic incidental music to a 1932 production, Antigona, apuntes para la Sinfonia. The previous volumes have been consistent best-sellers, and volume 3 should be immensely popular. Even more good news: the series, to be completed in 2006 to mark Southwest Musicís 20th anniversary, will eventually include the complete String Quartets and the complete works for piano and string ensemble. Definitely one of the most important chamber music releases this year!

Sony Classical is pleased to announce an important reissue of works by Carlos Chávez, one of the most influential figures in the history of Mexican music. Most of these recordings, which span the years 1938 to 1980, are conducted by Chávez himself and have never appeared before on CD.

CONTENTS:

• Buxtehude: Ciacona in E minor, BuxWV160
• Chávez: Danza a Centeotl (from the Ballet 'Los cuatro soles')
• Chávez: El venado
• Chávez: Huapango de Vera Cruz
• Chávez: La bamba
• Chávez: La paloma azul
• Chávez: Los Cuatro Soles
• Chávez: Pirámide (Ballet in four acts)
• Chávez: Soli I
• Chávez: Soli II
• Chávez: Soli IV
• Chávez: Sones Mariachi for Small Mexican Orchestra
• Chávez: Symphony No. 1 ‘Sinfonía de Antígona'
• Chávez: Symphony No. 2 ‘Sinfonía India'
• Chávez: Symphony No. 3
• Chávez: Symphony No. 4: ‘Sinfonía Romántica'
• Chávez: Symphony No. 5
• Chávez: Symphony No. 6
• Chávez: Violin Concerto
• Chávez: Xochipili
• Chávez: Yaqui Music de Sonora

This album received the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Small Ensemble Performance (with or without Conductor).

This album received the 2005 Grammy Award for "Best Small Ensemble Performance (with or without Conductor)."