COMPOSERS from Mexico

Top 6

The following people are considered by Pantheon to be the most legendary Mexican Composers of all time. This list of famous Mexican Composers is sorted by HPI (Historical Popularity Index), a metric that aggregates information on a biography’s online popularity.

1. Manuel Ponce (1886 - 1948)

With an HPI of 56.28, Manuel Ponce is the most famous Mexican Composer.  His biography has been translated into 21 different languages on wikipedia.

Manuel María Ponce Cuéllar (8 December 1882 – 24 April 1948), known in Mexico as Manuel M. Ponce, was a Mexican composer active in the 20th century. His work as a composer, music educator and scholar of Mexican music connected the concert scene with a mostly forgotten tradition of popular song and Mexican folklore. Many of his compositions are strongly influenced by the harmonies and form of traditional songs.

2. Agustín Lara (1897 - 1970)

With an HPI of 55.32, Agustín Lara is the 2nd most famous Mexican Composer.  His biography has been translated into 24 different languages.

Ángel Agustín María Carlos Fausto Mariano Alfonso del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús Lara y Aguirre del Pino (Spanish pronunciation: [aɣusˈtin ˈlaɾa]; ['aŋxel aɣus'tin ma'ɾi.a 'kaɾlos 'fawsto ma'ɾjano al'fonso ð̞el sa'ɣɾað̞o koɾa'son de xe'sus 'laɾa i a'ɣire ð̞el 'pino]; October 30, 1897 – November 6, 1970), known as Agustín Lara, was a Mexican composer and performer of songs and boleros. He is recognized as one of the most popular songwriters of his era. His work was widely appreciated not only in Mexico but also in Central and South America, the Caribbean and Spain. After his death, he has also been recognized in the United States, Italy, and Japan. His 1958 bolero album Rosa has been rated as one of the top 25 albums in the history of Latin American music. Notable performers of his work include Pedro Vargas who was a friend, Juan Arvizu, Nestor Mesta Chayres, Pedro Infante, Javier Solís, Julio Iglesias, Manuel Mijares, Vicente Fernández, Luis Miguel, Pérez Prado, Chavela Vargas, and Natalia Lafourcade among others. Outside the Spanish speaking world, his most famous songs are Granada, Solamente Una Vez (You Belong to My Heart) and Piensa en mí, which have both been recorded by numerous international singers, including Enrico Caruso, Mario Lanza, and José Carreras.

3. Carlos Chávez (1899 - 1978)

With an HPI of 52.93, Carlos Chávez is the 3rd most famous Mexican Composer.  His biography has been translated into 28 different languages.

Carlos Antonio de Padua Chávez y Ramírez (13 June 1899 – 2 August 1978) was a Mexican composer, conductor, music theorist, educator, journalist, and founder and director of the Mexican Symphonic Orchestra. He was influenced by native Mexican cultures. Of his six symphonies, the second, or Sinfonía india, which uses native Yaqui percussion instruments, is probably the most popular.

4. Silvestre Revueltas (1899 - 1940)

With an HPI of 51.54, Silvestre Revueltas is the 4th most famous Mexican Composer.  His biography has been translated into 21 different languages.

Silvestre Revueltas Sánchez (December 31, 1899 – October 5, 1940) was a Mexican classical music composer, a violinist, and conductor.

5. Juventino Rosas (1868 - 1894)

With an HPI of 51.31, Juventino Rosas is the 5th most famous Mexican Composer.  His biography has been translated into 20 different languages.

José Juventino Policarpo Rosas Cadenas (25 January 1868 – 9 July 1894) was a Mexican composer and violinist.

6. Arturo Márquez (b. 1950)

With an HPI of 49.03, Arturo Márquez is the 6th most famous Mexican Composer.  His biography has been translated into 18 different languages.

Arturo Márquez Navarro (born 20 December 1950) is a Mexican composer of orchestral music who uses musical forms and styles of his native Mexico and incorporates them into his compositions. His best known work is Danzón No. 2.