Pablo Bruna, an important organist and composer of the 17th century, was blind from the age of five but still attracted thousands of pilgrims, including kings, to hear his music in Daroca.
Composer Biography
Diego Durón, a prolific composer featured on this album, served as chapel master of the Santa Ana Cathedral in Las Palmas for 55 years, from age 18 until his death.
Historical Context
The Cathedral of Las Palmas, where much of the music on this album originated, was under construction from 1497 into the 19th century, resulting in a mix of Late Gothic and Neoclassical styles.
Cultural Impact
The villancico, a traditional poetic form, evolved from popular songs to religious Christmas themes and even crossed the Atlantic, blending with Afro-Caribbean dances and languages.
Performer Biography
The Capilla del Real de Las Palmas ensemble specializes in rediscovering and performing religious music by Las Palmas Cathedral's chapel masters, found in the cathedral's music archive.
Compositional Technique
Diego Durón, like other Baroque composers, wrote many dance pieces where Christmas characters adopted the speech and character of Africans, Portuguese, Galicians, and Valencians.
Composition History
The music archive of the Cathedral of Las Palmas lost all compositions by its chapel masters before 1599, along with organ pipes and bells, during an attack by the Dutch army.
You might also enjoy...
Marcello: 6 Cantate per soprano e continuo
A son très-humble service
Glass: Another Look
Seelentrost
Rhapsody
Sankt Martin & Sankt Nikolaus
Couperin: Leçons de Ténèbres
Byrd: Lulla, Lullaby
Dos Estrellas le Siguen
Leçons de ténèbres
Italophilia - Discovering the Italian Style in Handel's London
