Francisco Guerrero

Sure, Guerrero was a fantastic composer, but did you also know that he…
- was held for ransom by pirates
- spent time in debtors prison
- wrote a book about his adventures
- and died of the plague

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Francisco Guerrero (October 4 (?), 1528 – November 8, 1599) was a Spanish Catholic priest and composer of the Renaissance. He was born and died in Seville.

Guerrero's early musical education was with his older brother Pedro. At the age of 17 he was appointed maestro de capilla (singing master, i.e. music director) at Jaén Cathedral. A few years later he accepted a position in Seville. During this time he was much in demand as a singer and composer, establishing an exceptional reputation before his thirtieth birthday; in addition he published several collections of his music abroad, an unusual event for a young composer.

After several decades of working and traveling throughout Spain and Portugal, sometimes in the employ of emperor Maximilian II, he went to Italy for a year (1581–1582) where he published two books of his music. After returning to Spain for several years, he decided to travel to the Holy Land, which he finally was able to do in 1589. His adventure included visits to Damascus, Bethlehem, and Jerusalem; on the return trip his ship was twice attacked by pirates, who threatened his life, stole his money, and held him for ransom. He was able to return to Spain; unfortunately he had no money, and endured a series of misfortunes, including some time spent in debtors' prison. At last his old employer at Seville Cathedral extricated Guerrero and he resumed working for them. His book on his adventurous visit to the Holy Land was published in 1590 and was a popular success (it is reasonable to suppose that Cervantes knew it). At the end of the decade he planned one more trip to the Holy Land but unfortunately died in the plague of 1599 in Seville before he was able to depart.

Francisco Guerrero (October 4 (?), 1528 - November 8, 1599) was a Spanish Catholic priest and composer of the Renaissance. He was born and died in Seville. Guerrero's early musical education was with his older brother Pedro. At the age of 17 he was appointed maestro de capilla (singing master, i.e.

Maffei's letter on how to learn singing diminutions without a teacher (1562)

“If your stomach is not too full, grab a mirror and go to a cave or a valley. Rest your tongue in the correct way and make sure not to move any unnecessary parts of your body, and start singing exercises.” Also, practice a lot, don’t be annoying, and don’t forget your colleagues. Thanks to Early Music Sources for another excellent video!

What is a lautenwerck?

Bach’s Suite in E minor, BWV 996 is usually played on harpsichord, lute, or even piano, but it was written for something called a “lautenwerck”. Ever wondered what that actually was?

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The lautenwerck (also spelled lautenwerk), alternatively called lute-harpsichord (lute-clavier), is a European keyboard instrument of the Baroque period. It is similar to a harpsichord, but with gut rather than metal strings, producing a mellow tone.

The instrument was favored by J. S. Bach, who owned two of the instruments at the time of his death, but no specimens from the 18th century have survived to the present day.[1] It has been revived since the 20th century by harpsichord makers Willard Martin, Keith Hill and Steven Sorli. Two of its most prominent performers are the early music specialists Gergely Sárközy and Robert Hill.

Performances by Gergely Sárközy are also freely available.[2]

The lautenwerck (also spelled lautenwerk), alternatively called lute-harpsichord (lute-clavier), is a European keyboard instrument of the Baroque period. It is similar to a harpsichord, but with gut rather than metal strings, producing a mellow tone. The instrument was favored by J. S.

O primavera

That feeling when something you were waiting for falls just a little short of your hopes? Monteverdi understands.

O spring, the youth of the year,
beautiful mother of flowers, fresh herbs, and new loves,
you indeed return but without the sweet days of my hopes.
You are simply that with was charming and lovely,
but I am not now as I once was - so dear to the eyes of another.
(Translation by Hilary Anne Walker)

Moritz, Landgraf von Hesse-Kassel

This week’s Early Music Monday post comes from Kassel, Germany! Landgrave Moritz of Hesse-Kassel was patron to Heinrich Schütz and John Dowland (among others), built the first permanent theater in Germany, and liked to stir up religious controversy.

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Maurice of Hesse-Kassel (German: Moritz) (25 May 1572 – 15 March 1632), also called Maurice the Learned,[1] was the Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel (or Hesse-Cassel) in the Holy Roman Empire from 1592 to 1627.

Maurice was born in Kassel as the son of William IV, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel, and of his wife Sabine of Württemberg.

Although Maurice had been raised in the Lutheran faith, he converted to Calvinism in 1605. On the principle Cuius regio eius religio, Maurice's subjects were also required to convert to Calvinism. Maurice's conversion was controversial since the Peace of Augsburg had only settled religious matters betweens Roman Catholics and Lutherans and had not considered Calvinists. Maurice tried to introduce Calvinism to the lands which he had inherited from the extinct Hesse-Marburg branch of his family. Such a change of faith was contrary to the inheritance rules, and resulted in an ongoing conflict with the Hesse-Darmstadt branch. It also brought him into conflict with the Holy Roman Emperor, Matthias.

Maurice of Hesse-Kassel ( German: Moritz) (25 May 1572 - 15 March 1632), also called Maurice the Learned, was the Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel (or Hesse-Cassel) in the Holy Roman Empire from 1592 to 1627. Maurice was born in Kassel as the son of William IV, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel, and of his wife Sabine of Württemberg.

Early Organs in Marburg

This week’s Early Music Monday post comes from Marburg, Germany! This organ from the early 1600s is on display in the Museum für Kunst und Kulturgeschichte at the Landgrafenschloss (Museum for art and cultural history at the Landgrave’s Castle). Read more about this amazing instrument in the explanatory notes below!

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