A minimum mariachi group has 2 violins, 2 trumpets, 1 guitarrón, 1 guitar, and 1 vihuela. Complete mariachi groups have a minimum of 12 members with the standard 6 violins, 3 trumpets, 1 guitarrón, 1 guitar and 1 vihuela. A 13th member is often a harp, an extra violin, or an extra guitar. The Vargas de Tecalitlán currently has thirteen members, distributed as follows:
Violins: Manuel Alcaraz Vargas, Alberto Alfaro, José "Pepe" Martínez (Director), José Martínez Jr., Daniel Martínez, and Andres Gonzalez
Trumpets: Federico Torres (member since 1966), Gustavo Alvarado (since 1991), and Fernando Valasquez (since 2007)
Guitarrón: Enrique de Santiago (member of the group since 1989)
Guitar: Arturo Vargas (member of the group since 2003 and originating in Jalisco)
Vihuela: Gilberto aguirre (part of the group since 2011, being the newest member of Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán)
Harp: Julio Martínez (member since 1996)
The history of Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán is divided into five phases (or generations); the first generation from 1897 to 1930, the second from 1931 to 1949, the third from 1950 to 1993, the fourth from 1994 to 2002 and the fifth since 2003 to date.
1st generation (1897–1930)
The Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán was born in a small city called Tecalitlán, to the south of Jalisco. Founded in 1897 by Don Gaspar Vargas the formation during those years was provided by the guitarra de golpe (or mariachera) played precisely by Don Gaspar, the wooden harp by Manuel Mendoza, and two violins played by Lino Quintero and Refugio Hernandez. The combination of these instruments established the "Sonido Tecalitlán" which distinguished from the "Sonido Cocula". (The Mariachi from Cocula utilized the guitarron and the vihuela in place of the harp and the guitarra de golpe aside from the two violins). In 1913, Don Gaspar introduced one trumpet to the group but it was not well accepted and, in later performances, its high-pitched sound was considered annoying. The cornet was replaced by another violin. The group consisted then of five elements. The son of Don Gaspar Vargas, Silvestre Vargas, joined as a violinist in 1921. From 1926 the group consisted of Gaspar Vargas - Guitarra de golpe, Manuel Mendoza - Harp, Silvestre Vargas, Trinidad Olivera and Nicolas Torres - Violins.
2nd generation (1931–1949)
In 1931 Gaspar Vargas turned the leadership of Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán over to his son, Silvestre. As the first step in his reorganization Silvestre decided to enlarge the group to eight musicians. He invited his compatriots, the Quintero brothers, Rafael and Jeronimo to join. One played a violin and the other a guitar. Later he would add another violin played by Santiago Torres. He moved Trinidad Olivera from the violin to the guitarron, although still preserving the wooden harp. It was Silvestre who possessed a dream that his group would one day be the greatest mariachi in all Mexico and he was relentless in his pursuit of fulfilling that dream. The Mariachi Vargas was something of an oddity in the early 1930s; the members were all dressed in charro suits, they showed up on time for performances, and they were sober.
In 1933 they won first place in a Mariachi contest celebrated in Guadalajara. Then again, in Mexico City, in 1934, they were awarded another first place prize. President Lázaro Cárdenas, who enjoyed the music of "Vargas", subsequently had the group hired as the official mariachi of the Mexico City Police Department and the group moved to Mexico City where they remained for 20 years. They provided music and entertainment for the capital city at its parks and gardens. Beginning in 1937, the Mariachi Vargas appeared in "Asi es mi Tierra", the first of its more than 200 motion pictures. They played in many of Pedro Infante's movies as well. In that same year they recorded their first record and signed an exclusive contract with RCA.
In 1941 they definitively integrated the trumpet into the musical interpretations of the group. Miguel Martínez was the first trumpet player for Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán. He is considered the creator of the mariachi-style trumpet and the best performer, teacher and example of the instrument. In 1944, Rubén Fuentes, a classical violinist with no background in mariachi music, was asked by Silvestre to join the group. He joined as a violinist and became music adjuster. Silvestre Vargas and Ruben Fuentas reorganized Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán and changed their image and sound. They demanded a professional presentation to overcome the unruly concept that the term "mariachis" had to the general public in those days.
3rd Generation (1950–1993)
Fuentes took complete responsibility for the group's musical direction, and enriched the evolution that for many years had conserved the primitive and unstudied qualities of mariachi. The changing sound of the Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán was redirected without the abandonment of its roots or traditions. The Huapangos and Sones (which were two very distinctive styles of the mariachi music) were being interpreted in many diverse and different ways. The Mariachi Vargas recorded the Sones with arrangements and adaptations as patterns for other groups. This stratagem promoted the concept that all mariachi groups could be unified to those versions by taking them as examples. The traditional songs and the original sound of the mariachi began to mature in the 1950s. It was during the recordings of the "Golden Age of the Huapangos" that the compositions, arrangements and musical direction of Rubén Fuentes, and the unequaled voice of Miguel Aceves Mejía, initiated a musical shift that would change the sound and instrumentation of the mariachi. Due to the fact they change mariachi from the start they choose to keep it in away that it would still be traditional.
Revolutionary new harmony
In 1955 Rubén Fuentes stopped performing in the group. However, to date he maintains his position as producer, musical arranger and musical director, assisted during this first age by Jesús Rodríguez de Hijar and, under both, the administrative and leadership skills of Silvestre Vargas. In 1966 Rubén Fuentes wrote "La Bikina", a song that was recognized as the epitome of this Revolutionary New Harmony and sound of the mariachi. He continues to write and produce music for Mariachi Vargas that takes is an emotional roller coaster from the height of happiness to the despair of a broken heart or a lost love. As much in Mexico as in foreign countries the Sones and Huapangos acquire new directions.
Mariachi conferences
In the 1970s interest in mariachi music was waning. But all that changed when San Antonio, Texas held its first international mariachi conference in September 1979. In 1975, Jose "Pepe" Martinez, Sr. became the musical director of Mariachi Vargas. He wrote many arrangements including "Violin Huapango" which individually showcase the different instruments and members in the group. In 1983, the Mariachi Vargas appeared for the first time at the Tucson International Mariachi Conference. A new movement began to grow and many other conferences began to develop. The Mariachi Vargas was often chosen as the headline performer.
In 1986, Linda Ronstadt appeared with the Mariachi Vargas at the Tucson International Mariachi Conference where she sang publicly in Spanish for the first time. In 1987 she released her "Canciones de mi Padre" album featuring Mariachi Vargas which won her a Grammy award for the album. She also went on a national tour with the group, giving greater international exposure to mariachi music than ever before and creating a new audience for mariachi music among non-Hispanics.
Classical mariachi
In 1989, the Mariachi Vargas released their "En Concierto" CD featuring some of the greatest renderings of classical music ever played by a mariachi group. They also accompanied Lucero in the 1990s as she rose in the ranks of contemporary musical stardom. The Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán initiated a series of solo recordings: Sones, Valses, Pasos Dobles, Bailes Regionales, Polkas, Clasico e International, etc. They have added more than 50 recordings of mariachi music interpreted by what has become "The Best Mariachi in the World."
4th generation (1994–2002)
It is known by all mariachi lovers that this generation was the most talented group of musicians performing since 100 years of their foundation.[citation needed] In their album "La fiesta del Mariachi", Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, fourth generation, the group integrates to make a tribute to Jose "Pepe" Martínez, who besides his magnificent musical arrangements and direction of the group, inspired many as a composer. Their recordings on Polygram with this generation include are, "El Mariachi Vargas", "En Concierto", "Los sones Reyes", "La fiesta del Mariachi" and "50 anniversary of Rubén Fuentes". Rubén Fuentes's arrangements and music with the Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán are the first five recordings for the one-hundredth anniversary of the foundation of "Vargas" in 1997.
5th generation (2003–present)
In 2003 Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán began its fifth generation. Their latest recordings are, "5ta Generacion", "Sinfonico I", "Sinfonico II", and "Penas, Desengaños... Y Amores". Today the group is composed of two harps, one vihuela, one guitar, one guitarron, three trumpets and six violins. With the added instruments, a new sound has emerged that crosses all international borders. The music they play now ranges from the traditional sones to classical works as well as popurris that continue to delight audiences everywhere. In the 100 years since its foundation, the group has gone through some major changes. While there has been some departure from the tradition during that time, the group has maintained its roots through the playing of traditional Mexican sones. In 1997, "Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán" celebrated its first One Hundred years of foundation.
Discography
From 1937 until now (2009), the Mariachi Vargas has produced over 50 recordings, whose contents are Huastecos sones, waltzes, popurris, polkas, huapango, cumbias, among others.
Danzones (1964 RCA)
Mariachi *Colección Original (BMG Latin, 1999) –This is a recording recompilation made while 1958–1968 -.
Lo Mejor de lo Mejor (BMG Latin, 2000) –This is a recording recompilation made while 1958–1967 -.
Tradicionales de México Lindo Y Querido (LIDERES, 2001).
Sinfónico With Orquesta Filarmónica del Estado de Querétaro (2001) –Directed by Maestro José Guadalupe Flores-.
5ta. Generación (2002).
Sinfónico II With Orquesta Filarmónica del Estado de Querétaro (2002) Directed by Maestro José Guadalupe Flores-.
Penas, Desengaños Y Amores (2004).
Y aquí estamos (2008).
Amor Ajeno
Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Se nos está acabando la noche que nos queda
Abrigame en tus brazos que aún no
Llega el momento difícil de alejarnos
Solo quedamos tu y yo y nuestro
Silencio, sólo palabras con la piel vamos diciendo
Sí escuchas algo más no tengas miedo
Es que estoy por gritarte que te quiero
Amor ajeno no no te me vayas porque
Esta noche te querré con tantas ganas
Amor, amor, amor,
Amor ajeno no te me vayas que aún nos queda para amarnos la madrugada
Qué aún nos queda para amar hasta mañana
Al recorrerme con tus manos me transmites
Todo el calor que a nuestros cuerpos los derrite
Y el loco palpitar de nuestros besos
Hacen que los sentidos se nos pierdan
Y poco a poco te entrego tanto y tanto para
Que tengas que pensarme allá en la ausencia
Y ahí donde tocaron hoy mis labios
Se han de quedar marcados como huellas
Amor, amor, amor,
Amor ajeno no te me vayas porque
Esta noche te querré con tantas ganas
Amor, amor, amor,
Amor ajeno no te me vayas que aún nos queda para amar la madrugada
Qué aún nos queda para amar hasta mañana
Amor amor amooor... No te me vayas.
The song Amor Ajeno by Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlan speaks about a passionate and forbidden love affair between two people who know that their time together is limited. The lyrics indicate that they both understand that their time together is running out, and soon they will have to part ways. However, in the moment, they want to fully embrace each other and enjoy the remaining time they have together. The singer pleads with their lover not to leave them and states that they want to love them with all their heart in this moment.
The lyrics also highlight the sensuality and physical connection between the two individuals. The touch of their hands and the intensity of their kisses make them lose themselves to their senses. The singer indicates that they are willing to give themselves completely to their lover for fear of having to think about them in their absence. The song is a poignant reflection on the fleeting nature of love and the intensity of passion that comes with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Se nos está pasando el tiempo para amarnos,
We're running out of time to love each other
Se nos está acabando la noche que nos queda
The night we have left is ending
Abrigame en tus brazos que aún no
Hold me in your arms, as the difficult moment we must part has not yet come
Llega el momento difícil de alejarnos
The difficult moment of parting is coming
Solo quedamos tu y yo y nuestro Silencio
Only you, me and our silence remains
Sólo palabras con la piel vamos diciendo
With only our skin, we're expressing ourselves with words
Sí escuchas algo más no tengas miedo
If you hear something more, don't be afraid
Es que estoy por gritarte que te quiero
It's because I'm about to shout that I love you
Amor, amor, amor,
Love, love, love
Amor ajeno no no te me vayas porque
Don't go away because you belong to someone else
Esta noche te querré con tantas ganas
Tonight, I will love you with great desire
Amor ajeno no te me vayas que aún nos queda para amarnos la madrugada
Don't go away because there's still time for us to love each other until morning
Qué aún nos queda para amar hasta mañana
We still have time to love until tomorrow
Al recorrerme con tus manos me transmites
When you touch me, you give me
Todo el calor que a nuestros cuerpos los derrite
All the warmth that melts our bodies
Y el loco palpitar de nuestros besos
And the crazy beating of our kisses
Hacen que los sentidos se nos pierdan
Make our senses go away
Y poco a poco te entrego tanto y tanto para
And little by little, I give you so much
Que tengas que pensarme allá en la ausencia
That you have to think of me when I'm gone
Y ahí donde tocaron hoy mis labios
And where my lips were touched today
Se han de quedar marcados como huellas
Will remain marked like footprints
Amor amor amooor... No te me vayas.
Love love love... Don't leave me
Writer(s): rubén fuentes, maría elena almide
Contributed by Keira M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Victor Lumbrera
Que bárbaro que bonita voz,que bello tema!!!!!
Ivan Zepeda
a Yara le gusta mucho esta cancion👍 excelentes gustos!
LEONOR GUZMAN
Buenos días amor me quedo a tu lado es verdad todavía nos falta amor para amarnos Bonita canción me gusto mucho gracias 😘😘
ERICK HERNANDEZ
buen dia, Javier, no tienes el orden de las canciones de este disco? gracias!