Componiser of the day: Alonso Mudarra
The vihuela was a very popular instrument in Spain in the sixteenth century. The sounds of this precursor to the guitar also evoke a sense of Spanish atmospheres for many. Today, the composer of the day is one of the most influential vihuelists: Alonso Mudarra (c. 1510-1580).
As is often the case, we do not know exactly where Mudarra was born, but we do know that he spent most of his life in Seville. This is where he ended up in 1546 after working in Italy for a time, and also the city that he never left. He was a priest there in the cathedral of Seville and also worked with Francisco Guerrero, among others.
Upon his arrival in Seville in 1546, Mudarra also published his book Tres libros de música en cifra para vihuela, three music books et in them tablature (a notation that many guitarists will be familiar with) for vihuela. The first two books contain instrumental pieces in different styles such as danzas, fantasias and glozas, mostly set to parts from polyphonic masses by Josquin. The third book of Mudarra's collection for vihuela contains all kinds of songs with vocals. Mudarra managed to superbly reduce polyphonic pieces to just one vihuelist and vocalist.
It cannot really be otherwise than that vihuela concerts at this festival always feature Alonso Mudarra. With today Enrike Solinis, the string virtuoso who earlier this week left audiences raving after concerts with his Euskal Barrokensemble. You will also often hear pieces by Mudarra as instrumental additions to vocal concerts. Cantoría tonight, for instance, alternates villanescos by Guerrero with Fantasías by Mudarra.
