Escenas infantiles, for chamber orchestra

This miniature for a characteristically strange mix of instruments seems to date from 1938; titled Children's Scenes, the manuscript was discovered posthumously among a group of Revueltas film scores. The music chugs along busily, with clarinets and muted trumpet leading other instruments in whiny "nyah, nyah" motifs that suggest the natures of children in an unidealized way. As a composer, Revueltas took a childlike glee in mocking convention, respectability, tourism, and even the avant-garde of which he was a part. So the imaginary children in this brief scene are less targets of tne composer's wit than inspiring co-conspirators. ~ James Reel, All Music Guide