Alonso Mudarra facts for kids

Alonso Mudarra (born around 1510 – died April 1, 1580) was a Spanish composer during the Renaissance period. He was also a talented player of the vihuela. The vihuela was a string instrument that looked a bit like a guitar. Mudarra was known for his new ideas in instrumental music and songs. He also wrote some of the earliest music we still have today for the guitar.

Alonso Mudarra's Life Story

We don't know exactly where Alonso Mudarra was born. But he grew up in Guadalajara. He likely learned music there. In 1529, he probably traveled to Italy. He went with Emperor Charles V. He was also with the fourth Duke of the Infantado, Íñigo López de Mendoza.

When Mudarra came back to Spain, he became a priest. In 1546, he got a job at the cathedral in Seville. He stayed there for the rest of his life. At the cathedral, he was in charge of all the music. Records show he hired musicians. He also bought and put together a new organ. He worked closely with composer Francisco Guerrero for many celebrations. Mudarra died in Seville. He left a large amount of money. This money was given to the poor people of the city, as he wished.

Mudarra's Music and Instruments

Mudarra wrote many pieces for the vihuela. He also wrote for the four-course guitar. This was a newer instrument at the time. All his works are in a collection called Tres libros de musica en cifras para vihuela. This means "Three books of music in numbers for vihuela." He published it on December 7, 1546, in Seville. These three books contain the first music ever published for the four-course guitar.

The second book is very special. It has eight pieces with many parts. Each piece is organized by its "tono," or musical mode. Mudarra's collection includes different types of music. These are fantasias, variations, and tientos. It also has pavanes and galliards. Many people today know his Fantasia X. It has been a popular piece for concerts and recordings for many years.

His songs were written in Latin, Spanish, and Italian. They include romances and canciones (songs). There are also villancicos (popular songs) and sonetos (sonnets). Mudarra also used different signs for different speeds. These signs showed if the music should be slow, medium, or fast. This was a new idea for his time.

Images for kids

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  Title page of Mudarra's Tres libros de música en cifra para vihuela (Seville, 1546)

See also

In Spanish: Alonso Mudarra para niños