Chávez, Carlos (kär`lōs shä`vās), 1899–1975, Mexican composer and conductor. In 1928, Chávez established the Symphony Orchestra of Mexico, which he conducted until 1949. He was also director (1928–34) of the National Conservatory of Music, where he radically reformed the curriculum. He used elements of indigenous Mexican music and instruments in his Xochipilli Macuilxochitl (1940). The influence of Stravinsky is evident in several of his works. His most important compositions include the ballet El fuego nuevo (1921); the ballet-symphony H.P. [horsepower] (1926–27); Sinfonía Antigona (1933); a piano concerto (1938–40); a violin concerto (1948–50); the Fourth and Fifth symphonies (1953, 1954); and Invention, for string trio (premiere, 1965). Chávez is the author of Toward a New Music (1937) and Musical Thought (1961).

Chávez (y Ramírez), Carlos (Antonio de Padua)

(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 (1928–34), 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.