Composer of the day: Luis Misón
Having shed light on mainly sixteenth-century keyboard virtuosos, on this last day we turn our attention to the eighteenth-century flutist Luis Misón (c. 1727-1766).
This composer, flautist and guitarist was born in Mataró, Catalonia. Misón was a central figure in Madrid's music scene, especially in the development of the tonadilla, a popular theatre genre that combined music, dance and humour. Misón's works often captured the lively spirit and folk influences of Spanish culture, making him a favourite composer of his time. His music combines Italian influences with typical Spanish rhythms and melodies, highlighting his versatility and creativity.
A remarkable discovery took place in Seville, where a set of flute sonatas was found that shed new light on Misón's compositional output. These sonatas, attributed to him, were discovered in a private collection and offer a rare insight into his instrumental music, previously less documented compared to his vocal and theatrical pieces. The sonatas are characterised by their graceful melodies, lively rhythms and intricate interplay between the flute and basso continuo.
The flute sonatas from Seville highlight Misón's skill as a composer for wind instruments and add a new dimension to his well-known oeuvre. Today, Rafael Ruíbérriz de Torres and his ensemble perform all these flute sonatas in their entirety.
