Spanish polyphony of the 15th and 16th centuries is Cantoría’s passion. The young Catalans want to introduce the whole world to both the great masters and forgotten geniuses. One such composer was Juan Navarro, who was almost certainly renowned among his contemporaries for his religious oeuvre, given the many copies of his work in circulation among Spanish cathedrals. For this expedition through the land of counterpoint and musical extravaganza, the ensemble has designed a concert as a vespers service with a combination of Gregorian plainchant, polyphonic psalms published after the composer’s death and Magnificats attributed to Navarro in the 19th century compendium Lira Sacro Hispana (1869). Polychoral motets for eight singers and organ by Navarro’s pupil Tomás Luis de Victoria complete this Iberian play of voices.
Program
Motets by J. Navarro & T.L. de Victoria
Performers
Inés Alonso, Victoria Cassano, soprano | Oriol Guimerà, Daniel Folqué, alto | Marti Doñate, tenor | Víctor Cruz, Lluís Arratia, bass | Marina López, organ | Jorge Losana, tenor & artistic leader