Manuel Ponce: Critical study of "Concierto del Sur" for guitar and orchestra

In this work, the form and the structure of harmony the work of the Mexican composer Manuel Ponce (1882-1948), Concierto del Sur, which was written for classical guitar, was investigated. The biography of the composer was given in the midst of the social and cultural structure of the period after Mexico's independence in the 19th century. Ponce was described as a prominent composer in Latin America and an important figure in Mexican musical culture in the first half of the 20th century. Ponce, a folklorist, pedagogue, ethnomusicologist, has pioneered the glorification of Mexican musical nationalism with his versatility and gained a unique place in Mexico's history. In this study, the form and the structure of harmony Concierto del Sur was examined by giving examples of guitar and orchestra parties. In addition, musical style was mentioned by giving examples of some piano, orchestra works and guitar sonatas which was made by composer after 1920. The meeting of Ponce and Andres Segovia (1893-1987) who dedicated himself to make the guitar repertoire suitable for the understanding of music of the era and got help from other composers who were not guitarists, is an important milestone in the guitar history. The close friendship of these two artists led Ponce to know this instrument closely and to form a repertoire for this instrument. Concierto del Sur, which was written after Segovia encouraged him to create a masterpiece, under the influence of Spanish music, is one of the most important musical pieces.