Lluís Vicenç Gargallo facts for kids

Lluís Vicenç Gargallo, also known as Luis Vicente Gargallo, was an important musician and composer. He lived during the Baroque period, from about 1636 until his death in Barcelona on February 19, 1682. He is remembered for his many musical compositions.

About Lluís Vicenç Gargallo

Gargallo was likely born in the Valencian Community in Spain. When he was a child, around 1648 or 1649, he joined the choir at the Valencia Cathedral. He stayed there until 1651 or 1652. This is where he first learned about music. His teachers were the mestres de capella (choir masters) Francesc Navarro and Dídac Pontac.

His Career as a Choir Master

On June 7, 1659, Gargallo became the mestre de capella at the Huesca Cathedral. This was a very important job, as the choir master was in charge of all the music for the church. He worked there until November 15, 1667.

Just two days later, he moved to the Barcelona Cathedral to take on the same role. At first, he filled in temporarily. But after the previous choir master, Marcià Albareda, passed away in 1673, Gargallo officially took over the position.

His Students

While working in Barcelona, Gargallo taught several students who later became famous composers and choir masters themselves. Two of his notable students were Josep Gaz and Isidre Serrada. After Gargallo's death, another musician named Jaume Riera temporarily took his place. Then, on July 13, 1682, Joan Barter became the new permanent choir master.

Gargallo's Music

As a busy mestre de capella, Gargallo wrote a lot of music. We know of at least 74 different pieces that he composed! Most of these works are kept in six main places. These include the Library of Catalonia, the cathedrals of Girona and Zaragoza, and the chapel of the Real Colegio Seminario del Corpus Christi in Valencia. Some pieces are also found in churches like Sant Pere de Canet de Mar and Santa Maria de Cervera.

Types of Works

Gargallo's music includes many different styles:

• Liturgical Works: These are pieces written for church services. He composed 32 of these, including eight pieces for 4 to 16 voices. He also wrote four masses for 5 to 8 voices and a requiem (a special mass for the dead) for two choirs.
• Oratorios: He wrote two oratorios. An oratorio is a large musical piece, usually based on a religious story, performed without costumes or staging. Gargallo was the first known Catalan composer to write oratorios, which was a new and popular musical style during the Baroque period.
• Villancetes: He composed 25 villancetes. These were popular Spanish songs, often with religious themes, sung during festivals.
• Tonos: He also wrote 15 tonos. These were usually shorter, secular (non-religious) songs for one or more voices.

His wide range of compositions shows how talented and important Lluís Vicenç Gargallo was in the world of Baroque music.

See also

In Spanish: Luis Vicente Gargallo para niños