Album insights
During the Spanish rule from 1580 to 1640, the peak of Portuguese music occurred, supported by Braganza nobility despite generous backing from Spain. Leading figures such as Duarte Lôbo, Filipe de Magalhães, and Manuel Cardoso upheld traditional styles like Renaissance Polyphony, distinct from evolving Baroque trends in Spain. By the mid-17th century, composers like João Lourenço Rebelo emerged. The 1630s saw an array of sacred music repertoires in Coimbra, encompassing diverse compositions by Portuguese and Spanish maestros, highlighting an Iberian musical identity.
Duarte Lôbo, a celebrated composer, demonstrated monumental contributions to Portuguese music, with his works echoing in various regions such as Spain, Mexico, and Guatemala. He crafted compelling editions and compositions across a significant span, characterized by lush Antwerp prints showcasing his vivid musical expressions. Lôbo's compositions, notably his Magnificat settings and Masses, reflect a blend of simplicity and grandeur, ideal for liturgical performances.
Filipe de Magalhães, a contemporary of Lôbo and pupil of Manuel Mendes, thrived in his musical pursuits in Évora and later in Lisbon's royal chapel. His compositions, albeit impacted by the 1755 earthquake, stood out for their emotional depth and musical finesse. Magalhães' published works in Lisbon, though eclipsed by Lôbo's Antwerp publications in aesthetics, still captured the essence of his exceptional artistry, earning him praise as one of Portugal's finest composers.
Magalhães' volumes of Magnificats and Mass settings from the 1630s reveal a rich musical legacy, featuring diverse Mass compositions with unique approaches to elements like Christe eleison passages. His profound Mass pro defunctis compositions, intricate polyphonic structures, and exquisite expressions underscore his mastery and innovative musical character within the Portuguese music landscape.