Classical Composers Datebook
Tomás Luis de Victoria (b. Avila, 1548; d. Madrid, 20 Aug 1611), Spanish Composer
Tomás Luis de Victoria is considered the greatest Spanish Renaissance composer in 16th-century Spain, and one of the most important composers of the Counter-Reformation, along with Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina and Orlando di Lasso. He was a choirboy at Avila Cathedral and when his voice broke he was sent to the Jesuit Collegio Germanico in Rome, where he may have studied under Palestrina. He wrote exclusively Latin Sacred music.
Brief Milestone:
1565. Tomas de Victoria was sent by King Philip II of Spain to prepare for holy orders at the German College in Rome. He probably studied with Giovanni da Palestrina, whom he eventually succeeded as director of music at the Roman Seminary.
1569-1574. Singer and organist at Santa Maria di Monserrato
1571-1576(7). Taught at the Collegio Germanico.
1578-1585. Assisted Philip Neri, joined the Oratory of San Filippo Neri as chaplain of San Girolamo della Carità.
1578. Met the pious Dowager Empress Maria, widow of the Holy Roman emperor Maximilian II, and later became her chaplain.
1584. Empress Maria entered the convent of the Descalzas Reales in Madrid.
1587-1603. Returned to Spain as chaplain and organist to Philip II's sister, the Dowager Empress Maria (until her death).
1594. He settled in Madrid.
His work
Tomás Luis de Victoria's compositions ranged widely through the liturgy, and some his most popular masses are: Magnificats, psalms and motets, of which he is mainly remembered. His works include 21 masses, 44 motets, several Magnificats, and psalm settings, that are among the finest of the period. He also wrote hymns; four offices for the dead; and music for Holy Week services, including two Passions, the Improperia, and the Lamentations of Jeremiah. His last work was the Requiem (1605) in memory of the empress Maria. Some of his masses & motets:
Tomás Luis de Victoria (b. Avila, 1548; d. Madrid, 20 Aug 1611), Spanish Composer
Tomás Luis de Victoria is considered the greatest Spanish Renaissance composer in 16th-century Spain, and one of the most important composers of the Counter-Reformation, along with Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina and Orlando di Lasso. He was a choirboy at Avila Cathedral and when his voice broke he was sent to the Jesuit Collegio Germanico in Rome, where he may have studied under Palestrina. He wrote exclusively Latin Sacred music.Brief Milestone:
1565. Tomas de Victoria was sent by King Philip II of Spain to prepare for holy orders at the German College in Rome. He probably studied with Giovanni da Palestrina, whom he eventually succeeded as director of music at the Roman Seminary.
1569-1574. Singer and organist at Santa Maria di Monserrato
1571-1576(7). Taught at the Collegio Germanico.
1578-1585. Assisted Philip Neri, joined the Oratory of San Filippo Neri as chaplain of San Girolamo della Carità.
1578. Met the pious Dowager Empress Maria, widow of the Holy Roman emperor Maximilian II, and later became her chaplain.
1584. Empress Maria entered the convent of the Descalzas Reales in Madrid.
1587-1603. Returned to Spain as chaplain and organist to Philip II's sister, the Dowager Empress Maria (until her death).
1594. He settled in Madrid.
His work
Tomás Luis de Victoria's compositions ranged widely through the liturgy, and some his most popular masses are: Magnificats, psalms and motets, of which he is mainly remembered. His works include 21 masses, 44 motets, several Magnificats, and psalm settings, that are among the finest of the period. He also wrote hymns; four offices for the dead; and music for Holy Week services, including two Passions, the Improperia, and the Lamentations of Jeremiah. His last work was the Requiem (1605) in memory of the empress Maria. Some of his masses & motets:
- Missa Ave regina caelorum
- Missa pro Victoria
- O magnum mysterium
- O quam gloriosum
His music is mainly characterised by a religious, sacred ardour.
Recommended listening:
Tomás Luis de Victoria's versa est in luctum, splendidly sung by Gabrieli Consort. Uploaded by dani1978el. Accessed April 12, 2016.
Video:
Victoria - O Magnum Mysterium. AcademieVocaleParis. Accessed April 12, 2016
Photo Credit:
Tomás Luis de Victoria. Public Domain.
Resources:
Kennedy, Michael & Joyce, and Tim Rutherford-Johnson. Oxford Dictionary of Music. Oxford. OUP: 2012.
Sadie, Stanley, Ed. The Grove Dictionary of Music, New Updated Edition. London: Macmillan: 1994.
(c) Posted April 12, 2016. Latest update, October 28, 2018. Tel. Inspired Pen Web.
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