CCCXXIX. VICTORIA, Tomás Luis de: Quem vidistis pastores

CCCXXIX. VICTORIA, Tomás Luis de (1548-1611)

Quem vidistis pastores (1572)
Ensemble Plus Ultra
Michael Noone, cond.
[scrolling score]
(4:57)

"I wasn't expecting the Spanish Inquisition."

[Michael Palin & Co. bursts through the door, dressed in bright red Spanish Inquisition costumes ...]

"No one expects the Spanish Inqusition."

-- Monty Python

Victoria's mother's family were conversos. Too soon to joke about?

As it turned out, Tomás Luis de Victoria became the greatest Spanish composer of sacred music of the 16th century. He adored Palestrina; might have studied with him.

This six-voice motet shows his mastery of the form; the voices in stretto, the part-writing, and the beautiful 4-3 suspensions (like the final bar) ...