Language-Voice-Speech in Music

We are all very excited about the Bienal de Yucatán that will be running from November 26, 2026 to February 28, 2027.

Mérida Clasica Moderna has embraced the Bienal’s theme of voice-speech-word-language, and asked more than 20 composers from Mérida, Mexico, Europe, Latin America and the U.S. to create compositions inspired by this theme. These new compositions will be premiered in Mérida during the Bienal.

For this MEL Talk, composer Robert Constable will lead a discussion and presentation about music that is inspired by language, speech, voice, etc., or uses language or speech sounds to create musical forms. Far beyond a consideration of song lyrics, this discussion will look at the syntax of language, and how composers in the 20th/21st century employed these ideas.

Some of the local composers participating in this project may be present to talk about how the Bienal theme shaped their work. You’ll get a sneak preview of the concerts, and the opportunity to discuss the music with the composers!

About Rob Constable

Robert Constable has been composing art music for almost 50 years. His music has been performed all over the world. Educated at the University of South Florida and The Eastman School of Music, he received a Fulbright Scholarship to study with György Ligeti in Hamburg, Germany. From 1993 to 2005, he was active as a director and participant of the BONK Festival of New Music in the Tampa Bay area. Robert is a fellow of the Hermitage Artist Retreat since 2019. He composed and produced the music for Miguel Ventura Herrera’s ground-breaking documentary “Encontrando a Felipe Poot”. Robert is the director of the avantgarde music festival Mérida Clásica Moderna with six concerts coming up in February and March of 2027, right here in Mérida!