Carlos Chávez received formal training as a pianist, but was largely self-taught as a composer. His formative years coincided with a time of intense nationalism in Mexico brought about by the end of the Mexican revolution. His investigation into Indian cultures, native folk music and dance forms were of significant influence in his music, which was characterised by a highly distinctive use of crossrhythms, syncopation, irregular meter and colourful orchestration. Chávez was also a distinguished teacher and had an active conducting career, working in the course of his career with nearly every major symphony orchestra in the United States, Europe and Latin America.