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Composer

Francisco de Peñalosa

Albums

Morales: Requiem a 5 & Officium defunctorum
De Profundis, Eamonn Dougan
His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts Grand Tour: Italy, Spain & Germany in the 16th and 17th Centuries
His Majesties Sagbutts and Cornetts
The Voice in the Garden: Spanish Songs & Motets, 1480-1550
Gothic Voices, Christopher Page
Francisco de Peñalosa: Masses
Westminster Cathedral Choir, James O'Donnell
Peñalosa: The Complete Motets
Pro Cantione Antiqua, Bruno Turner
Sacred & Secular Music from Six Centuries (1000-1600)
The Hilliard Ensemble

Francisco de Peñalosa: Fascinating Works and Legacy

Francisco de Peñalosa (c. 1470–1528) was a distinguished Spanish composer of the High Renaissance, recognized as a master of polyphonic sacred and secular music. His craft and innovations were crucial in bringing the Franco-Flemish polyphonic style to Spain and the Iberian Peninsula, deeply influencing the musical landscape of his time.

Career and Influence

Born in Talavera de la Reina, Peñalosa served as a singer and chaplain in the Aragonese Royal Chapel under King Ferdinand II of Aragon from 1498. He held multiple prestigious posts, including master of music to the king’s grandson, singer and chamberlain at the Papal Chapel under Pope Leo X, and various clerical roles at Seville Cathedral. Throughout his career, Peñalosa maintained a reputation as one of the most highly regarded Spanish composers of his generation, especially noted for both his sacred and secular output.

Major Works and Recordings

Peñalosa’s compositions are celebrated for their expressive depth, technical finesse, and textual clarity. His output includes larger-scale sacred settings central to his reputation, shorter devotional pieces that showcase his intricate polyphonic style, and his Lamentationes Jeremiae settings which are particularly praised for their transparency of texture and emotional intensity. Further examples of his sacred repertoire include Magnificats and Hymns. Though less prominent than his sacred output, his secular works contributed to the rich tapestry of Iberian Renaissance music.

Notable Albums Featuring Peñalosa’s Music

Immerse yourself in the mesmerizing sounds of the past and witness how the captivating works of Francisco de Peñalosa continue to influence the music of the present. His contributions to the field of music are celebrated in various performances and renditions, as depicted in these albums:

  • "His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts Grand Tour: Italy, Spain & Germany in the 16th and 17th Centuries," presented by His Majesties Sagbutts and Cornetts. This grand tour explores the striking blend of styles from Italy, Spain, and Germany to recreate the glorious sounds of the past.
  • “The Voice in the Garden: Spanish Songs & Motets, 1480-1550" – This majestic rendition by Gothic Voices, Christopher Page captures the intense drama and enchanting tranquility of Spanish songs and motets from the 16th century.
  • “Francisco de Peñalosa: Masses” by Westminster Cathedral Choir, James O'Donnell. Dive into the captivating world of Francisco de Peñalosa with these Masses, brought to life by the Westminster Cathedral Choir under the guidance of James O'Donnell.
  • "Peñalosa: The Complete Motets" – Pro Cantione Antiqua, Bruno Turner treats listeners to the complete motets of Francisco de Peñalosa, providing a rich and thorough celebration of the composer's work.
  • "Sacred & Secular Music from Six Centuries (1000-1600)" – The Hilliard Ensemble invites you on a musical journey, spanning six centuries of sacred and secular music.