Juan Bautista Comes facts for kids
Juan Bautista Comes (born around 1582 – died January 5, 1643) was a Spanish composer. He lived during the Baroque period of music. He was born and died in Valencia, Spain.
Life and Music Career
Juan Bautista Comes held important music jobs during his life. Before 1613, he worked as a Maestro de Capilla. This title means he was the music director. He worked at the cathedral in Lleida, Spain. He also worked at the Colegio del Patriarca in Valencia.
From 1613 to 1619, Comes was the music director at Valencia Cathedral. Later, from 1619 to 1629, he worked in Madrid. He was the Second Maestro at the Habsburg royal court. This was during the time when King Philip III and King Philip IV ruled Spain.
In 1632, Comes returned to his old job. He became the music director at Valencia Cathedral again. He stayed in this position until he died in 1643. Comes studied music with another composer named Juan Ginés Pérez.
Musical Style and Works
Juan Bautista Comes is best known for his musical compositions. He wrote many villancicos. These were popular songs often sung during holidays. Some of his famous villancicos include Terremoto, que ruido. His villancicos used words in Spanish, Portuguese, and Galician languages.
Comes also wrote many sacred polychoral works. Polychoral means music written for several choirs singing at the same time. This made the music sound very grand and full. These works were often for church services.
Recordings of His Music
Today, you can still hear the music of Juan Bautista Comes. Several groups have recorded his works. Here are some examples:
- Missa de Batalla recorded by Victoria Musicae.
- In nativitate Domini also by Victoria Musicae.
- Danzas del Corpus Christi recorded by Capella Saetabis.
- In festis Corporis Christi by Victoria Musicae.
- Villancico al Santísimo: A la sombra estáis on the album A batallar estrellas.
- Para regalo y bien mío on Retrobem la nostra música, CD nº 21.
- Que el Rey del cielo este al hielo on Retrobem la nostra música, CD nº 21.
- Magnificat 8º tono, a 4 v mixtes, Dialogado con el gregoriano on Retrobem la nostra música, CD nº 21.
