Francisco Guerrero (composer) facts for kids
Francisco Guerrero (born around October 4, 1528 – died November 8, 1599) was a Spanish Catholic priest and a talented composer during the Renaissance period. He was born and passed away in Seville, Spain.
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Life and Adventures
Francisco Guerrero started learning music from his older brother, Pedro. Later, he studied with the famous composer Cristóbal de Morales. When he was only 18, he became the maestro de capilla (which means music director) at Jaén Cathedral.
Just three years later, he got a job as a singer at Seville Cathedral. During this time, many people wanted him to sing and compose music. He became very well-known even before he turned 30! He also published some of his music in other countries, which was quite unusual for a young composer back then.
After working and traveling around Spain and Portugal for many years, he went to Italy for a year (1581–1582). There, he published two more books of his music.
A few years after returning to Spain, Francisco decided he wanted to travel to the Holy Land. He finally made this journey in 1589. His amazing adventure included visiting places like Damascus, Bethlehem, and Jerusalem. But on his way back, his ship was attacked by pirates not once, but twice! The pirates threatened him, stole his money, and held him for ransom.
Luckily, he was able to return to Spain. However, he had no money and faced many problems, including being held because of his debts. Eventually, his old employer at Seville Cathedral helped him out, and he went back to work for them.
In 1590, he published a book about his exciting trip to the Holy Land. It became very popular, and it's even thought that the famous writer Miguel de Cervantes (who wrote Don Quixote) might have read it! Francisco planned another trip to the Holy Land, but sadly, he died in Seville during the plague of 1599 before he could leave.
Among all the Spanish Renaissance composers, Francisco Guerrero spent most of his life and career working in Spain. Other composers, like Morales and Victoria, spent a lot of their time in Italy before usually returning home later in life.
His Music
Francisco Guerrero wrote both religious and non-religious music. This was different from composers like Victoria and Morales, who mainly wrote religious pieces. He created many songs and instrumental pieces that were not for church, along with masses, motets, and Passions (which tell the story of Jesus's suffering).
His music could show many different feelings, from great joy to sadness, longing, and peaceful devotion. His songs stayed popular for hundreds of years, especially in cathedrals in Latin America. In his style, he often used a clear, simple sound where all the parts move together, and he wrote beautiful, easy-to-sing melodies.
One interesting thing about his music is how it sometimes sounded like later styles. For example, a Magnificat (a type of religious song) found in Lima, Peru, was first thought to be from the 1700s, but it turned out to be one of his!
Recordings
- Francisco Guerrero, Missa Sancta Et Immaculata, Motets, Etc. James O'Donnell, Westminster Cathedral Choir. Helios CDH55313
- Francisco Guerrero, Magnificat, Lamentations & Canciones. Peter Phillips, El León de Oro. Hyperion CDA68347
- Francisco Guerrero, Missa Congratulamini mihi & other works. Andrew Carwood, The Cardinall's Musick. Hyperion CDA67836
- Francisco Guerrero, Missa De la batalla escoutez & other works. James O'Donnell, Westminster Cathedral Choir, His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts. Helios CDH55340
- Francisco Guerrero, Missa Surge Propera. Peter Philips, Tallis Scholars. CDGIM040
- Francisco Guerrero, Missa Super Flumina Babylonis. Michael Noone, Ensemble Plus Ultra. GCD922005
- Francisco Guerrero, Requiem & Vespers for All Saints. Alistair Dixon, Chapelle du Roi. Signum SIGCD017
- Apollo5, Where All Roses Go, includes Veni Domine,Oh, Virgen, cuando os miro, and Virgen Sancta, VOCES8 Records, UNSPSC Code 55111500
See also
In Spanish: Francisco Guerrero para niños
