Mazatlán composer shines alongside her sister Daniela Astorga
Mazatlán composer Paulina A. Monteón enjoyed a successful premiere on August 2nd at the Sala El Cantoral. Her work, “Huellas del Sotavento” (Footprints of the Sotavento), is particularly special because it features the zapateado (traditional Mexican footwork) performed by soloist Daniela Astorga, the artist’s sister, transforming the performance into a sonic and visual delight for the audience attending the “Sones de la Tierra” (Sounds of the Earth) concert.
The concert “Sones de la Tierra” (Sounds of the Earth) was the culmination of nearly a year of work at the Traditional and Concert Music Creation Laboratory of the Society of Authors and Composers of Mexico (SACM), a creative space that allowed composers and teachers to explore new ways of connecting traditions with the language of concert music.
Inspired by the rich musical and dance traditions of Son Jarocho, the piece was conceived as a concertino for zapateado (foot-stomping dance) with orchestra, placing the dance at the forefront and establishing a dialogue between the rhythmic force of this traditional expression and the sonic possibilities of an orchestral ensemble.
“It was a great experience, very well received by the public, and quite striking. It involved playing any percussion instrument, but with my feet on the stage. I wanted it to be a much more prominent role, incorporating slightly more complex rhythms, and I found in that the opportunity to do so with a dancer. In this case, I had the opportunity to work with my sister, Daniela,” the artist explained.
That afternoon, the musical performance was given by the Mexican Orchestra of the Arts, under the direction of Maestro Jesús Medina. More than 500 attendees enjoyed the concert, including prominent figures such as Arturo Márquez, Leonardo Coral, and Gerardo Támez.
One of the most significant moments of the premiere was the participation of dancer Daniela Astorga, who performed the zapateado solo, bringing to the stage the energy, precision, and physical tradition that characterize this dance from the Sotavento region.
“Working with my sister was a different experience because it’s not the same. Paulina is good in that sense; she’s very demanding and doesn’t hold back in her work either. I’ve been dancing for over 10 years, but never with an orchestra. Everything went very well. I feel very satisfied with my role; I’m very grateful and honored,” said the solo dancer.
The artists stated that they received congratulations that afternoon from attendees, some of whom were from Veracruz, who recognized their work, the music, and the details of their attire, all of which reflect the traditions of the state known as Veracruz.
For Paulina A. Monteón, the premiere represents the culmination of a creative process involving renowned national and international artists and teachers, as well as an opportunity to bring deeply rooted elements of Mexican tradition to new stages and musical languages.
The Mazatlán native expressed her gratitude to those who made this experience possible, including the Mexican Orchestra of the Arts, conductor Jesús Medina, maestro Arturo Márquez, SACM (the Mexican Society of Authors and Composers), and Patricia Pineda.
Paulina especially thanked her sister Daniela, whom she recognized for accepting the challenge of embarking on this artistic journey with her and transforming zapateado (a type of Mexican folk dance) into a solo piece within an orchestra. With “Huellas del Sotavento” (Footprints of the Sotavento), the artist reaffirms the potential of contemporary creation to engage with the musical roots of Mexico.
