Juan de Anchieta

Full biography Juan de Anchieta

Juan de Anchieta was a renowned Spanish composer of the Renaissance era. Born in 1462 in Azpeitia, Basque Country, Anchieta was one of the most important composers of his time. Little is known about his early life, but he was educated as a choirboy at the Cathedral of Burgos and later worked as a musician and composer at the royal court of Isabella and Ferdinand.

One of Anchieta's most notable works is his missa "Quem dicunt homines," which is written in five parts and is known for its melodiousness and rich harmonies. He also produced a large number of motets, including "Stella quam viderant Magi," which has become one of his most widely recognized works.

His compositions represent the start of the Iberian polyphonic tradition, where he created exquisite polyphonic melodies that intertwined with a softness that made him a prominent composer of polyphonic hymns during the Spanish Renaissance. In recognition of his contributions to the music of his time, he earned the title "maestro di capilla" at Burgos Cathedral.

Juan de Anchieta was not only a composer. He was also a man of the Church and a poet; his verses were published several times and later written into polyphonic hymns by many of his peers. Sadly, much of his work has been lost to history, but a significant legacy has survived. It is apparent in the admiration he earned during his lifetime and the gradual rediscovery of his work by scholars after his death in the early 16th century. Anchieta still remains as one of the most brilliant and influential figures in the history of Spanish music.