13 characteristics of Spanish RENAISSANCE music- and COMPOSERS!

As the story progresses, we see how the world is changing with the currents that arise thanks to the combination of human creativity with the need for expression of the way of life. Despite the fact that the same current occurs in different parts of the world, individuality and identity end up being an important part of expressiveness, resulting in characteristic touches of each culture and weather.

In this lesson from a TEACHER we will talk about Spanish Renaissance music: characteristics and composers, where you can learn more about this artistic movement in a time that some consider the most glorious of the Spanish musical past.

The RenaissanceIt has its origin in Italy around the year 1400. This current spread throughout Europe, including of course Spain and lasting between the XV and XVI centuries. The Renaissance period ends with the century, approximately in the year 1600.

In general, the Renaissance was a determining stage for the establishment of many musical bases, thanks to the mentality

humanist which sought to reflect the intellectual capacity of the human being, studying music theory in greater depth. Religious music boomed during the Renaissance, with devotion to various composers being the main motive behind the creation of works. During this time there are another couple of important factors, which were the invention of the printing press and the rise of the bourgeois class, promoting the dissemination of music.

The Golden Age in Spanish music

In Spain, the Renaissance is considered the "Golden Age" of Spanish music. Much of the works were made at the request of the courts, art investors maintaining chapels of musicians, which They functioned as conservatories and music creation centers, made up of a chapel master, singers and instrumentalists.

Among these sponsors were the Court of Juana and Felipe, Carlos V and Felipe II, the great religious centers, houses aristocratic such as those of Calabria, Alba and Medinaceli and the cultural centers of the Castilian and Andalusian cities, the kingdom of Valencia and Aragon.

Parallel to chapel music, the other relevant genre is that of the profane music. From this aspect Spain conserves an important legacy of compilation of works called songbooks, the following being the most valuable:

• Songbook of the Palace or of Barbieri (1490-1530)
• Cancionero de la Colombina (late 15th century)
• Songbook of Medinaceli (mid-16th century)
• Songbook of Uppsala (1500-1550)

As we mentioned previously, much of the production of musical works was in charge of the chapel musicians. On the other side, we find authors of secular music and instrumental music.

Chapel composers

• Cristóbal de Morales (1500-1553): Chapel Master in the Cathedral of Malaga.
• Antonio de Cabezón (1510-1566): Sometimes called the "Spanish Bach", blind from birth, organist and harpsichordist considered the best instrumentalist of his time and a master contrapunter.
• Francisco Guerrero (1527-1599): Student of Cristóbal de Morales and successor of the Cathedral of Malaga. Later, he became a teacher in the chapel of the Cathedral of Seville and the main exhibitor of the Andalusian school. He also wrote songs of profane music.
• Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548 - 1611): Chapel Master and Organist at the Convent of the Descalzas Reales in Madrid. Outstanding work: the office of Holy Week, considered the pinnacle of Spanish polyphony.

Composers of profane music

Juan del Enzina (1468-1529): The most relevant composer of secular Spanish Renaissance music. He was a poet, playwright, musician, and founder of the Spanish theater. He is considered the master of Christmas carols and the author of the first popular eclogues of Spain. 69 of his Christmas carols and romances are found in the Palace Songbook.

Other composers of profane music: Lope de Baena, Francisco and Rodrigo Ceballos, Juan Navarro, Pedro Guerrero, Juan Bautista Caballines, Nicolás Gombert, Juan Cornago, Juan de Espinosa, Juan Ponce, Juan de Anchieta, Alonso de Alba and Pedro Escobar.

Instrumental music composers

Luis Millán, Luis Narváez, Alonso Mudarra, Enrique de Valderrábano, Diego Pisador, Miguel de Fuenllana, Esteban Daza, Luis Venegas de Henestrosa, Tomás de Santa María, Juan Bermudo.

We hope that now you have a better idea of ​​Spanish Renaissance music: characteristics and composers and what now you have the curiosity to continue investigating through videos and audios to be able to complete your learning.