Spanish Baroque Composers--Suggestions?

[revdrdave]

I'm interested in exploring the music of Spanish baroque composers but don't know where to begin. What five (more or less) CDs would you recommend for a newbie like me to gain an overview of the repertoire?

[Scion7]

[revdrdave]

Thanks for the composers--any particular CDs of their music you recommend?

[Mandryka]

Just thinking of Spain, there are  two keyboard composers who I've explored, Pablo Bruna and Juan Cabanilles. I prefer Bruna I think. For Bruna, the best I've heard has been a CD by José Luis Gonzales Uriol. For Cabanilles I have enjoyed Jan Willem Jansen - I can imagine than some will think he's not flamboyant enough, but everyone should judge for himself I think.

Moving to South America, then I think you may be interested in Domenico Zipoli, he was Italian but lived and worked in Argentina. There are excellent recordings by Gustav Leonhardt and Mario Videla.

[revdrdave]

Just thinking of Spain, there are  two keyboard composers who I've explored, Pablo Bruna and Juan Cabanilles. I prefer Bruna I think. For Bruna, the best I've heard has been a CD by José Luis Gonzales Uriol. For Cabanilles I have enjoyed Jan Willem Jansen - I can imagine than some will think he's not flamboyant enough, but everyone should judge for himself I think.

Moving to South America, then I think you may be interested in Domenico Zipoli, he was Italian but lived and worked in Argentina. There are excellent recordings by Gustav Leonhardt and Mario Videla.

Thanks, Mandryka.  I'be heard a bit of Cabanilles' vocal music but none of his keyboard music.  Not heard of Pablo Bruna at all.  I'll check these out.

[Ken B]

Teixeira. Who is Portugese. Close enough from a Canadian perspective . The Te Deum, which is wonderful.

One assumes you mean, apart from Scarlatti.

[Mandryka]

Thanks, Mandryka.  I'be heard a bit of Cabanilles' vocal music but none of his keyboard music.  Not heard of Pablo Bruna at all.  I'll check these out.

Bruna is like a midpoint between Arauxo and Cabanilles. It's quite strange to hear his music because it really is this, some of the mysticism of Arauxo and some of the bravura of Cabanilles.

[DaveF]

Thanks for the composers--any particular CDs of their music you recommend?

This: [asin]B0009PEYT4[/asin]

is absolutely irresistible, although I think it's more about Lislevand's improvisations than Murcia's original rather simple tunes.  It also appears to be OOP and expensive, which is making me regret having given my copy away.

Another piece that needs a mention is Valls' Missa Scala Aretina, although being ultra-strict Valls was Catalan rather than Spanish.

[revdrdave]

This: [asin]B0009PEYT4[/asin]

is absolutely irresistible, although I think it's more about Lislevand's improvisations than Murcia's original rather simple tunes.  It also appears to be OOP and expensive, which is making me regret having given my copy away.

Irresistible--wow! You ain't kiddin'!  This is terrific stuff.  The entire album--which I'm listening to now--is on YouTube.  You're right about it being OOP and expensive but I can get the album on iTunes for $10.99, which I'll soon be doing.  Thanks so much for bringing this to my attention!

[revdrdave]

Teixeira. Who is Portugese. Close enough from a Canadian perspective . The Te Deum, which is wonderful.

One assumes you mean, apart from Scarlatti.

Thanks, I'll give this a listen.  And you're right--apart from Scarlatti.

[Spineur]

If you are also interested in Spanish Sephardic music of this period, these are two wonderful CDs of José Lemos, countertenor, a specialist of this music.  A lot of his stuff is on youtube.

[asin]B00E5NXRCQ[/asin]

[asin]B000WPJ5U4[/asin]

[The new erato]

This:

[asin]B007AR7R5C[/asin]

Essential.