Maria Grever: A Pioneer in Latin American Music History

Maria Grever is one of the most celebrated Mexican composers of the 20th century. She is regarded as the first Mexican woman composer to earn international attention. Many of us probably heard her melodies and lyrics sung and performed by many popular musicians from the United States and Latin America. Yet, she is one of the least-known artists who deserves global recognition and acclamation. Grever's melodies continue to captivate audiences with their poignant beauty and emotional depth. Maria Grever’s lesser-known status today can be thought of as a reflection of broader historical and cultural trends that have often marginalized significant contributions from diverse voices. This is particularly upsetting given the familiarity of her most remembered song “What a Difference a Day Made”, which, by the way, turned into a classic owing to one of the most popular and influential African American recording artists, the "Queen of Blues", Dinah Washington.

Maria Joaquina de la Portilla Torres, known professionally as Maria Grever, was born on September 14, 1885, in León, Guanajuato, Mexico. She grew up with her Spanish father and Mexican mother. This bicultural background nurtured her lifelong "wish to present the native rhythms and tunes from a real perspective."

From a young age, Grever exhibited an extraordinary musical talent. She composed her first piece, "A Christmas Carol," at the age of four. She is said to have possessed perfect pitch, which is a rare ability to recognize pitches (as well as name and reproduce) without taking any other note as a reference. Recognizing her prodigious abilities, her parents ensured she received a formal education in music. Thus, like many other greats of the world of music, Grever had early exposure to classical music and the rich musical traditions of Mexico and Spain.

At the age of six, she moved to Spain with her family. There she studied under the renowned impressionist composer Claude Debussy. Although some sources emphasize that she was self-taught on the piano for the most part, but had taken a few classes with Debussy in her later years. Whatever the case is, this was pivotal for her without a doubt, as it introduced her to European classical music and, in turn, sharpened her compositional prowess. Grever shared a deep and profound connection with her roots, so during her time in Spain she immersed herself in the traditional folk music of the region. This helped her develop a unique musical style that blended classical elements with the folkloric rhythms and melodies of Spain, and, of course, her native Mexico.

Upon returning to Mexico in 1990, Grever continued her musical education. The next few years were crucial for her growth as a composer. At the age of 18, She had already written her first song, "A Una Ola" (To a Wave), and it sold three million copies. This is a huge feat, considering how women were underrepresented in the contemporary music scene.

Maria Grever’s music predominantly features melodic richness, emotional depth, and lyrical beauty. Her compositions are often based on themes of love, longing, and nostalgia. Grever was able to convey complex emotions in her songs. Like, her biggest hit “Ti pi Tin” released in 1938 (translated into English by Raymond Laveen). Her timeless masterpieces such as Júrame ( her first international hit), "What A Difference A Day" (her most recognizable composition), and many other songs bear the mark of her creativity.

Grever had immaculate proficiency in the versatile repertoire. This included boleros, ballads, waltzes, and tangos. Such mastery of various musical genres was another key element that raised her music's appeal to a wide audience.

Grever moved to New York following her marriage in 1916 where she was exposed to world music. Eventually, she got herself interested in Jazz and Modern Rhythms. She started absorbing what jazz had to offer to her. She realized American people didn't know much about the rich tradition of Mexico. Greve wanted to let everyone experience Mexican music, hence she developed her own style.

Throughout her career, she composed around 800 to 1000 songs. Not only she wrote musicals and operas, but contemporary songs and soundtracks for big movie houses as well. Yet, for Grever, it was challenging to establish herself as a composer in a male-dominated industry. It was a time when female artists weren't considered as good as their male counterparts. So, it was common for the female artists to get overshadowed. Despite this, Grever’s talent did not go unnoticed. Overcoming all the hurdles, eventually, her music gained international acclaim, and she became one of the first female composers from Latin America to achieve global recognition. She had been a global icon for upcoming and aspiring young female artists.

Grever’s music gained popularity in Hollywood as well. Her compositions were featured in several films (for instance, Esther Williams’ Bathing Beauty). In 1920, she started working as a film composer for the biggest studios of the film industry like Paramount Pictures and 20th Century Fox. As mentioned before, a version of “What a Difference a Day Makes” was recorded by Dinah Washington and went on to earn Grever a Grammy Award after her death. Dinah is not the only artist who performed this song, the legend Chet Baker has his own take on this track. Her legacy was further solidified in music history when other prominent musicians also performed her songs, such as Ella Fitzgerald who sang "A-Tisket A-Tasket" and Cole Porter who performed "My Heart Belongs to Daddy,"

Maria Grever may not be a household name today, but her contribution to music is undeniable. The factors responsible for her lesser-known status would include gender biases and changing musical tastes. These do not diminish the impact that her music has on her listeners, as any ardent music enthusiast would inadvertently discover her and be pleasantly surprised by her immaculate mastery of composing. Rediscovering and celebrating her artistry is essential, this would serve as a proper homage to her life, talent, and creativity as well as to her culture and heritage. This would also ensure that her legacy is recognized and appreciated by the generations to come.