Mateo Flecha el Joven facts for kids

Mateo Flecha the Younger, known in Catalan as Mateu Fletxa el Jove, was an important Catalan composer. He was born around 1530 in Prades, a town in Baix Camp, and passed away on February 20, 1604, in Sant Pere de la Portella, Berguedà. Mateo Flecha the Younger was the nephew of another famous composer, Mateo Flecha the Elder.

Early Life and Musical Career

Mateo Flecha the Younger joined the Carmelite religious order in Valencia. He quickly became known as a very talented musician. He was highly respected by powerful leaders of his time.

Serving Emperors and Popes

Flecha the Younger was a top musician and even led the musicians for Emperor Charles V. He spent some time living in Italy. In 1564, he became a chaplain for Maria-Theresa. She was the wife of Emperor Maximilian II. Later, he also sang in the imperial chapel, which was the emperor's special music group.

When Emperor Maximilian II died, Emperor Rudolf II gave Flecha the important title of Abbot of Tihany in Hungary. During the 1570s and 1580s, Flecha traveled across Spain. His mission was to find and recruit talented singers for the imperial chapel.

Published Works and Legacy

Mateo Flecha the Younger's most important musical works were published in two major cities: Venice, Italy, and Prague, which he visited many times.

Music Collections

In Venice, he published a collection called Il 1.° libro de madrigali a 4 et 5 in 1568. This book, which means "The First Book of Madrigals for 4 and 5 voices," contained 31 madrigals. Madrigals are a type of vocal music, usually without instruments.

In Prague, in 1581, he printed three books of polyphonic music. Polyphonic music means music with several independent melodic lines playing at the same time.

• Libro de música de punto: This book had four volumes, but sadly, it is now lost.
• Divinarum completarum psalmi: This collection of psalms is incomplete.
• Las ensaladas: This special collection was dedicated to Giovanni Borgia. It included eight ensaladas by his uncle, Flecha the Elder. It also had three ensaladas by Mateo Flecha the Younger himself. The collection also featured works by other composers like Bartomeu Càrceres and Xacón. An ensalada is a type of musical piece that mixes different styles and languages.

Other Works and Retirement

In 1593, Flecha the Younger published a book of poetry in Prague. This book was written about the death of Elisabeth of Austria, Queen of France. Two other important works of his are still kept as handwritten copies. These are Harmonia a 5, which was for five string instruments, and a Miserere for four voices.

In 1599, Philip III of Castile appointed him Abbot of the Portella Monastery. This is where Mateo Flecha the Younger retired, spending his final years.

See also

In Spanish: Mateo Flecha el Joven para niños