Lost Music, Lost Memory: The Reawakening of "El Tecolote" (by Emigdio Medina, 1875)

Welcome to my bedroom closet.

One hundred thirty-seven years ago, my Mexican great-grandfather, Emigdio Medina, composed a schottische, entitled El Tecolote.  The Owl.  I discovered the sheet music in an online library listing in 2010.  A long-forgotten song?  Might no one have heard the piece for over 100 years?

I asked my dear sister-in-law, Martha, to play El Tecolote on her piano for me to record.  She suffers from Alzheimer's, but has not forgotten her music.

Lost music.  Lost memory.  Together both were found, at least for a while.  Ah, the magic and harmony of two musician's talents, even if one has left this world and the other slowly slips away.

For those who may be interested, the WorldCat listing for the sheet music is as follows: http://www.worldcat.org/title/tecolote-the-owl-schottische/oclc/146589970&referer=brief_results

"The Overland Monthly," Vol. 15, August, 1875, No. 2, page 208, listed "El Tecolote" as new music received.

Please enjoy this bit of Mexican culture from yesteryear's San Francisco.  The song was played and recorded totally impromptu.  Please forgive the occasional faltering and errors.

 

Warm Wishes,

Laurel Anne Hill  (http://www.laurelannehill.com)