UNM musicologist Ana Alonso-Minutti has recently launched a new book on the renowned Mexican composer Mario Lavista. Titled "Mario Lavista: Mirrors of Sounds," the book offers an in-depth look into Lavista's work and his contributions to Ibero-American contemporary music. Alonso-Minutti, an associate professor of Musicology at The University of New Mexico, delved into Lavista's creative trajectory, exploring the interdisciplinary and intertextual dimensions that defined his music.
The book launch event was announced by Alonso-Minutti at the 95.5 KHFM The Music of the Americas radio show, hosted by UNM Professor of Music José Luis Hurtado. The launch is scheduled to take place at UNM on Thursday, Feb. 29, featuring performances of Lavista's music, a poetry reading, and remarks by guest speakers. Alonso-Minutti will also give a public lecture on the connections between poetry and music in Lavista's compositions.
In her book, Alonso-Minutti examines Lavista's incorporation of poetry and painting in his scores, highlighting the intertextual aspects of his music. She shared, "Why would the composer incorporate this poem into his score? What type of connections, if any, exist between this poem and the music Lavista composed? Those are the questions that drove me to delve into an intertextual analysis."
Alonso-Minutti's research for the book spanned nearly two decades, including interviews with Lavista and various artists and collaborators. She emphasized Lavista's approach as a "relational composer" who created music in collaboration with others, reflecting a broader panorama of experimental music and art practices in Mexico.
The book, published as an open-access source, aims to promote diversity and inclusivity in music education and cultural programming. Alonso-Minutti expressed the importance of making the book freely available to all, stating, "I wanted to dispel the notion that concert music is just for connoisseurs and available only to people with academic and economic means."
"Mario Lavista: Mirrors of Sounds" was launched in Spain and Mexico, garnering significant attention in national newspapers and media outlets. Alonso-Minutti's accessible approach to music analysis in the book caters to both academic and non-academic readers, offering a glimpse into Lavista's music and its affective potential.
Ana R. Alonso-Minutti, a prominent figure in the field of musicology, has dedicated her research to avant-garde expressions and music traditions from Mexico and the US-Mexico border. Her work has been recognized in peer-reviewed journals and academic volumes, showcasing her expertise in decolonial methodologies and critical race studies.
Alonso-Minutti's latest book on Mario Lavista stands as a significant contribution to the understanding of contemporary music practices in Mexico and beyond, shedding light on the artistic legacy of a celebrated composer.
