Milán & Narváez: Spanish Renaissance Music

Featuring

Giuseppe Chiaramonte
Luis de Milán
Luis de Narváez

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Compositional Technique

The musical form of 'variations' under the Spanish name 'diferencias' officially appeared for the first time in Luys de Narváez's published music.

Instruments

The vihuela, a Spanish stringed instrument for which this music was originally written, was developed around the mid-15th century and appeared in Queen Isabella of Castile's household in the early 16th century.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Luys Milán, a composer, writer, and poet, composed the works in his 'El Maestro' on the vihuela as improvisations, which he then transcribed.

Composition History

The first book of music written for the vihuela was Luys Milán's 'El Maestro', published in Valencia in 1536, followed by Luys de Narváez's 'Los seys libros del Delphín' in 1538.

Compositional Technique

Luys Milán was the first composer to provide specific tempo information and describe what is now known as 'tempo rubato' in his compositions.

Performer Biography

Giuseppe Chiaramonte, the guitarist on this album, has won national and international guitar competitions and has had contemporary composers dedicate solo guitar music to him.

Recording & Production

This recording features works from the first two vihuela publications, Milán's 'El Maestro' and Narváez's 'Los seys libros del Delphín', played on a Hauser-model guitar built by Italian luthier Mario Grimaldi in 2020.