Manuel Ponce

After showing exceptional musical skill at age four, Ponce’s parents started him in music classes.

Ponce’s first work, La Marcha del Sarampion (March of the Measles) was written at age nine when he contracted the disease.

As a boy, Ponce played the church organ and sang in the children’s choir.

Ponce was in his late teens by the time he left home to seek higher musical education.

Ponce was the earliest internationally successful Mexican composer of classical music.

Many of Ponce’s compositions are strongly influenced by the harmonies and traditional songs of his native Mexico.

Ponce’s most famous work is his Estrellita.

Ponce and the famous guitarist, Andrés Segovia, had a long and fruitful partnership.

Ponce was born the same year as Igor Stravinsky.

The third and best-known of Ponce's concertos, the Concierto del Sur, was dedicated to and premiered by guitarist Andrés Segovia.

Though he traveled extensively, Ponce always returned to Mexico, his homeland.

Ponce did much for music in Mexico, including heading the National Conservatory, and serving as the editor of a music journal.