More Iberian discoveries

Abstract

If it's still sadly true that music from the Iberian peninsula—and by colonial extension the New World—features very little in histories of European music, in the recording world the steady stream of interesting CDs continues to flow unabated. The eight recent releases under review here all explore otherwise little-known repertory; indeed, most present music recorded for the first time on disc. It's also true that world premières of works from the hidden corners of the historical cupboard of western art music appeal to recording companies and collectors alike, making for a limited yet viable market. Market forces are not, on the whole, predominant here, however; rather it would seem that a genuine enthusiasm for this repertory exists among performers and researchers, an enthusiasm that is communicated through their carefully prepared performances and often enlightening liner notes. The music dates from c.1500 to the 18th century, an extended Golden Age in music in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking lands; almost none of the composers represented could claim household-name status, even in the most cultured of homes. Almost all the music, however, is of very high quality, much of it truly inspired, its roots in a polyphonic tradition watered by the wealth, resources and prestige accorded to church music in Counter-Reformation Spain and fertilized by northern European and Italian stylistic elements that circulated freely throughout the most important empire of the age. Morales, Guerrero and Victoria may have been the beacons, but in the shadows below and around these sources of light were Alonso Lobo, Sebastián de Vivanco, Hernando de las Infantas, Pedro Rimonte, Mateo Romero, Manuel Cardoso, Juan de Araujo and many, many others.