Carlos Chavez

1 7.2

A composer from Mexico who uses folk music in his works

proper noun

: Carlos Chávez

The music of Carlos Chavez reflects a deep appreciation for Mexican cultural traditions.

Examples

Scholars have written extensively about Carlos Chavez and his influence on 20th-century classical music.
Many orchestras around the world perform works composed by Carlos Chavez.
Carlos Chavez was a great composer.
Carlos Chavez is celebrated in Mexico.
Many orchestras around the world perform works composed by Carlos Chavez.
Scholars have written extensively about Carlos Chavez and his influence on 20th-century classical music.
The music of Carlos Chavez reflects a deep appreciation for Mexican cultural traditions.

Surface Forms

Carlos Chavez main

Morphology

Carlos + Chavez

This is a proper name referring to a specific person; knowing the constituent words 'Carlos' and 'Chavez' (both personal name elements) does not allow a B1 learner to infer the referent is a Mexican composer. Proper names are referential and require world knowledge or cultural knowledge rather than compositional interpretation, so the meaning is not derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Carlos Chávez was a Mexican composer who mixed native and folk tunes with big orchestra music, like taking a simple village song and arranging it for a full orchestra. That's why his name is linked to 'music that celebrates Mexican traditions'.