Manuel Ponce

Manuel Ponce (1882-1948) was one of the first Mexican composers to achieve international acclaim, moving from light, popular music into more serious endeavors. Ponce studied within Mexico until he went to Europe in 1904, remaining in Berlin until 1909. Upon his return, he was made a piano professor at the Mexico City Conservatory, and in 1913 wrote the international hit Estrellita. After a stint as conductor, Ponce returned to Europe and studied with Paul Dukas; his later works are in a highly sophisticated vein. Ponce's guitar music, most of it commissioned by Andres Segovia, is of central importance to classical guitar literature.