Silvestre Revueltas

Caminos

Although some of Revueltas's music might hint at somber, ancient Indian rites (Noche de los Mayas and Sensemaya) or paint austere landscapes (Planos and Itinerarios), Caminos (1937) is one of Revueltas's most descriptive and accessible pieces. The term 'Caminos' is usually translated as 'roads' or 'highways'. It is easy to picture someone hopping into an old 'cacharro' (jalopy) and heading out into the Mexican countryside. The music is replete with the old cars' backfires and grinding clutch as well as the sounds of animals encountered on the road as our driver honks the horn impatiently, eager to pass. No such luck! He gets stuck in the mud, donkeys and oxen block his way and there even seems to be a dangerous moment - perhaps passing on a one-lane road by a cliff with one wheel precariously dangling at the edge. All of these delays finally give way and our driver speeds happily off into the countryside. The piece ends with one last frantic skid and a loud horn toot. Ah-oooo-ga!