José Marín, a contemporary of Hidalgo, was a guitarist, tenor, composer, and ordained priest, known for his musical talents but also for a scandalous life involving accusations of assault, robbery, and murder.
Composer Biography
Juan Hidalgo, a harpist in Spain's Royal Chapel, was a leading pioneer of Spanish Baroque theatre music, collaborating with dramatist Pedro Calderón de la Barca.
Historical Context
The manuscript is named after its copyist, José Miguel Guerra, a scribe of His Majesty's Royal Chapel in Spain, who was a member of the lower nobility.
Recording & Production
This album is the second volume in a series dedicated to the Guerra Manuscript, with the complete recording of its 100 songs made in collaboration with the Via Stellae festival, Radio Galega, and Naxos.
Instruments
For the secular music in the Guerra Manuscript, the harp and guitar were commonly used for basso continuo accompaniment, as they did not overpower the voice.
Composition History
The 'Guerra Manuscript' is a unique collection of 17th-century secular Spanish vocal music, specifically 'tonos humanos' (secular songs with basso continuo accompaniment).
Compositional Technique
The 'tonos humanos' in the Guerra Manuscript typically feature precise rhythms, clear melodies, syllabic style, and limited Italianate vocal ornamentation, often structured with strophes and a refrain.
