Manuel Ponce’s “Ferial”
Notes by TŌN clarinetist Dávid Kéringer
Mexico in 1940 was a period marked by significant cultural developments, particularly in music. This era highlights the nation’s ongoing efforts to define a unique cultural identity through the arts. Manuel Ponce, a leading figure in Mexican classical music, was actively composing works that blended Mexican folk music with European classical styles. Most of his compositions are piano and guitar pieces, songs, and arrangements of folk songs, but he also made his mark as an orchestral composer. The influx of European artists during this time due to the war created new opportunities for cultural exchange and collaboration. Many European musicians found new homes in Mexico and contributed to the vibrant musical environment of the time.
Ferial is a lively depiction of a festival, filled with a mix of musical styles. Over its 15-minute span, Ponce honors various genres. The piece begins with drum patterns that suggest tribal ceremonies, followed by woodwind melodies that echo European Renaissance and Baroque music. It also includes waltzes, marches, and fugato sections, effectively combined with Latin American music, brass instruments in a big band style, and elements from movie and Broadway scores. The two oboes play a key role throughout, often paired together in a style similar to the soli parts in Brahms’ Haydn Variations or the klezmer-like tunes in the third movement of Mahler’s First Symphony. These melodies are blended with pulsating Latin American dance rhythms.
Ferial is a great example of the integration of European music traditions with one’s own heritage. Ponce skillfully combines diverse musical elements, creating a dynamic and engaging concert experience.