José Lidón facts for kids

José Lidón, also known as Josef Lidón or José Lidón Blázquez, was a talented Spanish composer, organist, and conductor. He was born in Béjar, Salamanca, Spain, on June 2, 1748. He passed away in Madrid on February 11, 1827.

A Musician's Journey: José Lidón's Career

José Lidón began his musical journey at a young age. In 1758, when he was just ten years old, he joined the Royal Chapel of Madrid as an altar boy. There, he had excellent teachers, including José de Nebra and the famous organist Antonio de Literes.

In 1763, Lidón won a competition for a position at the Malaga Cathedral. However, he never actually took up that job.

From 1768 onwards, he served as an organist at the Orense Cathedral and later at the Madrid Royal Chapel. He worked for two Spanish kings: first for King Charles IV and then for Ferdinand VII. After King Ferdinand VII returned to the throne, Lidón helped his friend and fellow composer, Juan Oliver Astorga [es].

From 1805 until his death, José Lidón held important leadership roles. He was the director of the Royal Chapel in Madrid, known as the maestro de la Capilla Real. He also served as the head of the Real Colegio de Niños Cantores, a special school for young singers.

José Lidón's Musical Creations

José Lidón created many musical pieces during his life. His works are kept in different places, such as the Ciudad Real Cathedral, the National Library of Madrid, and the Orihuela Cathedral, Valencia.

He composed more than seventy pieces of sacred music. This includes oratorios (large musical works often based on religious stories), psalms (religious songs), and Holy Week lamentations (sad songs for a religious period). He also wrote sonatas and fugues for the organ, which is a large musical instrument. In addition, he composed a string quartet, which is a piece for four string instruments.

One of his most famous works is the Organ Sonata de Primo Tono. This piece is highly praised and is seen as a great example of music from the Age of Romanticism. In his hometown of Béjar, there is a square named in his honor.

Selected Musical Works by José Lidón

• Ave Maris stella - (for 4 and 8 voices)
• Cantábile para órgano al alzar en la misa
• El barón de Illescas
• Glaura y Coriolano (first performed at the Prince of Madrid Colosseum in 1792)
• Ofertorio
• Organ Sonata de Primo Tono (Para Trompeta Real)

See also

In Spanish: José Lidón para niños