Abstract:
The music for military band by composer Alejandro Monestel (1865-1950) was often
performed in San José, capital of Costa Rica, according to various scholarly sources. The
Rapsodia Costarricense (1935) and Rapsodias Guanacastecas Nº1 and Nº2 (1936, 37)
were among the most popular works for military band by the composer. Although
Monestel is known as one of the most published Central American composers, these
works were never published before. The Rhapsodies were included in the programs
offered by the Military Band of San José in the traditional recreos and retretas performed
in the Parque Central. The United States Navy Band, in concerts organized by the Pan
American Union performed the same works. Both scenarios helped to construct an idea
of Costa Rica according to their own perspectives. In this paper, I explore both the
motivations of Alejandro Monestel to compose the Rhapsodies for military band, and the
reception of these works. Given the premiere of the Rhapsodies in San José, and in
Washington D.C., I examine primary sources from different archives that preserve letters
between Alejandro Monestel and, the National Broadcasting Company, the Unión
Panamericana, and Fleisher Collection of Orchestral Music. Considering Monestel’s
traveling life --Costa Rica (origin), Belgium (school), New York (professional life),
Costa Rica (back home)—I propose that in this circular trip, he traveled carrying values,
ideas, and music to his three homes.
