La Semilla Encantada - Yetlanezi Mendoza (Mexican composer)

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     This week we will listen to the work of the violist and composer Yetlanezi Mendoza. She started her musical studies at the National Conservatory of Music, when she had twelve years, she started her studies on the viola, being her professor Javier Montiel (violist of the Latin American Quartet). She realized her undergraduate studies at the National Music School of UNAM and she has been a member of several orchestras such as the Symphony Orchestra of the State of Mexico, Carlos Chávez Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, OFUNAM. Currently, she is a violist of the UAEH Symphony Orchestra, as well she is a member of the String Quartet of the ENP of the UNAM, she teaches at the Hidalgo School of Arts, and a is member of the Ensemble Zihua, of musical diversity.

Among his compositions she has written a work for viola called "El Espiral", which consists of four movements:

           I- the train

           II- The Storm

           III- The enchanted seed

           IV- Dance

    In the words of the composer herself, she mentions that the work "El Espiral" is the symbol of the creation and evolution of the universe, it represents time, eternal life, and we can find it around us, it evokes evolution, development, creativity, the beginning, and the end. Each movement of the work has different instrumentation to accompany the solo viola.

   The third movement, La Semilla Encantada (the enchanted seed), was the winner of the Mexican composer's contest organized by the Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo. In this movement, Maestra Yetlanezi narrates that it is the birth of a new life, this piece is inspired by the rituals that people do in certain regions so that the seeds bear fruit, as an offering to mother earth. What is particular about this movement is that the viola is accompanied by percussions; This movement was released in 2018.

   This video is performed by the young Mexican violist Felisa Hernández Salmerón and the percussion section of the Mexico City Philharmonic Orchestra; She is the principal violist of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Mexico City, and of the Orchestra of the Theater of Fine Arts. In the last years, professor Felisa has premiered music for viola by Mexican composers.

Thanks for reading and see you very soon!

Luis Ángel Chab Dzul

FB: Zihua Ensamble Viola Piano
FB: Felisa Hernández Salmerón