Joan Cererols facts for kids

Joan Cererols was a talented Spanish composer and a Benedictine monk. He lived a long time ago, from 1618 to 1680. Cererols wrote many pieces of music.

Some of his most famous works include a Requiem. This is a special mass for the dead. He wrote it around the mid-1600s. This was when a terrible plague hit Barcelona. He also composed a Missa de Batalla, or "Battle Mass." This piece celebrates a big victory: the conquest of the Kingdom of Naples.

Early Life and Music Training

Joan Cererols was born in a town called Martorell in Spain. This was in the year 1618. When he was about eight years old, around 1626, he joined a special music school. This school was called the Escolania de Montserrat. It was part of the famous Monastery of Montserrat.

At the escolania, Joan began his music journey. He learned from Father Joan Marc [ca]. Father Marc was a very well-known organist at the time. Joan spent ten years learning and growing at this school.

Becoming a Monk and Choirmaster

After his time at the music school, Joan decided to become a monk. On September 6, 1636, he joined the Monastery of Montserrat. He was eighteen years old when he became a novice.

Father Marc, his teacher, greatly influenced Cererols' music. Cererols' style often used a technique called polychoral dialogue. This means different groups of singers would sing back and forth. There was a small pause between their entries. This made his music sound lighter and different from older composers.

In 1648, Cererols got permission from Father Marc to visit Madrid. This trip allowed him to meet other new musicians. After returning to the monastery, he became a full member of the monastic community.

When Father Marc passed away in 1658, Joan Cererols took over. He became the choirmaster at his home monastery. He held this important position for many years. Joan Cererols died at the monastery in 1680. He was 61 years old.

See also

In Spanish: Juan Cererols para niños