The third movement, “Himno a la Mujer”, was nominated for a 2024 Latin GRAMMY® Award for Best Classical Contemporary Composition
At a glance
ORCHESTRATION
2.2.2.2 – 2.2.0.0 – timp; 2 perc – pno; hp – str – solo violin
YEAR COMPOSED
2021
DURATION
17 min
AWARDS
The third movement, “Himno a la Mujer”, was nominated for a 2024 Latin GRAMMY® Award for Best Classical Contemporary Composition
PREMIERE
To be premiered
Listen In
Program Note
La Minerva is a concerto for violin and orchestra dedicated to Mexican women, who are the backbone of countless families across the country. In my hometown of Guadalajara, a statue of the Roman goddess Minerva stands as a proud guardian of the city, symbolizing the strength, courage, and resilience that characterize the women of Mexico. As often happens in my creative process, the first spark of inspiration for this concerto came from a vivid image: I envisioned Minerva, holding a violin and bow instead of her shield and spear, standing as a soloist in front of the orchestra, ready to fill the concert hall with her majestic sound.
The concerto is cast in three movements. The first movement, titled “Canción de Amor” (“Love Song”), is a slow movement in 3/4 time that embodies the romantic and rhythmic qualities of a balada ranchera. It features soaring violin melodies reminiscent of those Lola Beltrán might have sung in a heartfelt serenade.
“Polka Taconeada” (“Heel-stomping Polka”), the second movement, is a lively piece in 2/4 time that evokes the International Women’s March, a global event held annually on March 8th to commemorate the achievements of women and to advocate for gender equality and women’s rights. The title comes to life as the soloist stomps their heel against the ground while playing the main theme, recreating the march’s pulsating rhythm.
The final movement, “Himno a la Mujer” (“Hymn to Women”), is a moderately paced huapango in 6/8 time that invites listeners to unite and raise their voices in a collective anthem of solidarity and celebration of women. It begins with the soloist holding the violin like a guitar and gently strumming the hymn. Soon after, the whole string section joins in, their strumming enhancing the hymn’s spirit. The soloist then plays the hymn with the bow, and gradually, the entire orchestra joins in solidarity. Toward the end of the movement, the soloist performs an intense cadenza. One final time, the orchestra unites, playing the hymn and bringing the concerto to a triumphant conclusion.
—Juan Pablo Contreras
August 2021
