Mendez Trivia Question #3

trpt.hick · Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 7:43 pm Post subject: Mendez Trivia Question #3

Mendez performed thousands of concerts during his solo career. He had several "signature" works for trumpet which became strongly associated with his style and technical ability.

MENDEZ TRIVIA QUESTION #3: Of all of Rafael's solos, which piece did he perform most often?

scarface · Heavyweight Member Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 1806

I'm going to guess Tico Tico. And while I'm here, thought I'd mention that out of the nearly 100 trumpet recordings I've collected, Mendez' are the ones I listen to especially when I'm feeling

and want to feel

. He played with such incredible fire and joy. What a legend!

oj · Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 9:57 pm Post subject:

Or was it "La Virgen de la Macarena" ?

Ole

trpt.hick · Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 10:00 pm Post subject:

Very good answers, guys........but wrong.

Keep thinking!

D. H.

oj · Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 10:44 pm Post subject:

Mexican Hat Dance?

Ole

trumpetmike · Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 1:20 am Post subject:

I've just discovered this new forum. Thanks Todd & Dave for doing this. It gives those of us a chance who are not so familar with everything Rafael Mendez ever did, a chance to learn.

Now, my guess (I am expecting to be wrong, the history of Rafael Mendez is not one of my specialist subjects), Monti's Czardas?

I know it's one of my favourites.
Typically, I got to know this piece in a different key to the Mendez edition - it really threw me when I first got the Mendez music!

Guy NoVa · Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 4:20 am Post subject:

My guess is La Cucaracha!

I remember an interview I saw with Mendez many years ago, and he said he played that tune hundreds of times because it was Pancho Villa's favorite number -- was sort of the theme song of the Mexican Revolucion, in fact. (Mendez played cornet in Pancho Villa's band when he was very young, if I remember correctly.)
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oj · Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 4:53 am Post subject:

We have to wait for Dave's answer on this one.

I'm still at work, but when I get home I will check the book "Magnificent Mendez" by Jane Hickman and Del Lyren.

But, I have a faint memory that the answer can be somewhere on the CD,
Rafael Mendez The Legacy (on Summit Records). It is narrated by Doc Severinsen and the text ..

trpt.hick · Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 7:58 am Post subject:

Well, no one has yet answered correctly. Ole, I am dissappointed in you!

BTW, most of the questions I'm going to ask from now on will not be found in the MAGNIFICENT MENDEZ book written by my (former) wife and Del Lyren. Ha Ha!!

Dave Hickman

oj · Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 8:46 am Post subject:

I'm lost at this point....

But, perhaps you can help us a bit?

If we look at Mendez repertory, we can perhaps divide it into 3 types of music?

1. Mexican folk tunes

2. Compositions by Mendez

3. "Heifetz type" things (from opera and other instrumental rep.)

I would think that the piece he played most often, would be from group 1 or 2. A piece a'la Mexican Hat Dance (since it was not that one).

If it was from his own compositons the list is rather long:

Rafael Méndez - Trumpet Compositions

Give us a hint, Dave!

Ole

textr · Heavyweight Member Joined: 10 May 2004 Posts: 1678

Samba Gitana ?

trpt.hick · Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 11:28 am Post subject:

(drum roll.............)

And the answer is: Flight of the Bumblebee

He either programmed it or played it as an encore on almost every concert solo appearance. In fact, in the Rafael Mendez Library, there are over 30 sets of band or orchestra parts that were used to send out to high school, college, and pro ensembles to rehearse before his arrival at each place. This is at least double the number of sets of each other solo.

Despite this, I think that most will agree that La Virgen de la Macarena was his "signature" piece, stylistically.

Dave Hickman