ERIC ESTRADA VALADEZ
Composer

“The Rabbit in the Moon” is inspired by “El conejo en la Luna”, a Mexican pre- Hispanic folktale that was passed down orally through generations to teach youngsters the importance of humility, selflessness, sacrifice, and the value of maintaining our connection to the gods.

The piece follows the structure of a text written by Mexican-American writer and artist Fernando Moguel, narrating the story from the rabbit’s perspective and its encounter with Quetzalcóatl, a native Mexican deity who represents creation and wisdom and is depicted as a feathered serpent. The music is rich in Latin American musical tropes and rhythms, and draws inspiration from other narrative-based works such as Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale and Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf.

Commissioned by Loop 38

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Performance History:​

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Public premiere at Midtown Park in Houston, Texas by Loop 38 ​on November of 2025

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Performed at the Wharton Dual Language Academy by Loop 38 on May of 2025​

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Performed at the Mandarin Immersion Magnet School by Loop 38 on May of 2025

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Performed at the Arabic Immersion Magnet School by Loop 38 on May of 2025

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