Manuel Cardoso (composer) facts for kids

Manuel Cardoso was a famous Portuguese composer and organ player. He lived from 1566 to 1650. He was part of a "golden age" of Portuguese music. This was a time when many great composers created music with many voices, called polyphony. He is not believed to be related to another composer named Manuel Cardoso. That other Manuel Cardoso published a book of Latin songs in 1575.

Early Life and Education

Manuel Cardoso was born in a town called Fronteira in Portugal. This was probably in 1566. He went to a special choir school in Évora. This school was connected to the Évora cathedral. There, he learned music from teachers like Manuel Mendes and Cosme Delgado.

In 1588, Manuel Cardoso joined the Carmelite religious order. He took his vows to become a Carmelite in 1589.

His Career and Royal Friendships

In the early 1620s, Cardoso lived at the palace of Vila Viçosa. Here, he became friends with the Duke of Barcelos. This duke later became King John IV.

For most of his life, Cardoso worked at the Carmelite Convento do Carmo in Lisbon. He was the main composer and organist there.

Manuel Cardoso's Music Style

Cardoso's music is a great example of Palestrinian polyphony. This means his music was very refined and precise. He didn't follow the newer Baroque style that was popular in other parts of Europe.

His music was similar to that of Tomás Luis de Victoria. He was very careful with how he used dissonance (notes that sound a bit clashing). Sometimes, he wrote music for several choirs at once. He also often used cross-relations. This was a unique musical effect common among composers in Portugal, Spain, and England at that time.

Cardoso wrote three books of masses. Many of these works were based on motets. Some motets were written by King John IV himself. Others were based on motets by Palestrina. King John IV often helped Cardoso publish his music. This helped pay for the printing costs.

Sadly, many of Cardoso's works were lost. This happened during the terrible Lisbon earthquake and fire of 1755. This included many of his complex pieces for multiple choirs.

Recordings

• Frei Manuel Cardoso, Requiem. The Tallis Scholars, Peter Phillips. Gimell CDGIM 021
• Manuel Cardoso, Missa pro defunctis. Schola Cantorum of Oxford, Jeremy Summerly. Naxos CD 8.550682, 1992
• Manuel Cardoso, Missa Secundi Toni, Magnificats, and Motets. Choir of Girton College, Cambridge, Gareth Wilson. Toccata Classics TOCC0476, 2018
• Manuel Cardoso, Requiem, Lamentations, Magnificat & motets. Cupertinos, Luís Toscano. Hyperion CDA68252, 2019.