The story behind my El Salón México

Extract

If you have ever been to Mexico you probably know why a composer should want to write a piece of music about it. Nevertheless, I must admit that it came as something of a surprise when I left Mexico in 1932, after a first visit, to find myself with exactly that idea firmly implanted in my mind. It isn't as if I had never been away from home before. I had done my share of wandering about, and had even ventured as far as old Fez in Morocco without bringing back any musical souvenirs. But there must have been something different about Mexico. Or perhaps it wasn't just Mexico—perhaps my piece might never have been written if it hadn't been for the existence of the Salón México.