Short bio Mateo Flecha
Full biography Mateo Flecha
Mateo Flecha (Catalan: Mateu Fletxa) was a Spanish Renaissance-era composer born in the Kingdom of Aragon in 1481. He is also known as "El Viejo" or "the Elder" to distinguish him from his nephew and namesake, Mateo Flecha (ii). Flecha is renowned for his innovative and eclectic vocal forms, particularly his ensaladas, which combined different languages, musical styles, and themes into one composition.
Some of his most notable works include "La Bomba," a piece that depicts a scene of revelry and dancing; and "Riu, riu, chiu," a Christmas carol that has become a holiday staple in Spain and Latin America. He was also credited with popularizing the villancico, a type of song often performed during religious celebrations, which later became one of the defining genres of Spanish baroque music.
Despite his significant contributions to Spanish music and culture, Flecha's legacy was largely overshadowed by better-known composers of his time, such as Tomás Luis de Victoria and Cristóbal de Morales. Nonetheless, his works continue to be performed and studied by music scholars and enthusiasts alike, and his influence can still be heard in modern Spanish music.
In conclusion, Mateo Flecha was a Spanish Renaissance-era composer known for his innovative and eclectic vocal forms and his contribution to popularizing the villancico genre. His legacy has endured despite being overshadowed by more prominent composers of his time, and his works continue to be performed and studied to this day.
Compositions featuring Mateo Flecha
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | El Fuego, ensalada for 4 voices | 12:54 min | Vocal Music | 1534 |
| 2 | La guerra, ensalada for 4 voices | 8:11 min | Vocal Music | 1534 |
| 3 | La Justa, ensalada for 4 voices | 15:37 min | Vocal Music | 1534 |
| 4 | La Negrina, ensalada for 4 voices | 9:57 min | Vocal Music | 1534 |
| 5 | La Bomba, ensalada for 4 voices | 7:36 min | Vocal Music | 15?? |
| 6 | La Justa: ¡Oyd, oyd los vivientes! | 5:11 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | 15?? |
| 7 | Y la mi çinta dorada, cancion for vocal ensemble | 1:56 min | Choral | - |
| 8 | Bella de vos som amorós | 3:41 min | Choral | - |
| 9 | Vella de vos | 4:28 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 10 | Tiempo bueno, cancion for vocal ensemble | 5:39 min | Choral | - |
| 11 | Si sentís lo que yo siento, cancion for vocal ensemble | 2:14 min | Choral | - |
| 12 | San Sabeya gugurumbé, negrilla a 4 | 5:19 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 13 | Que farem del pobre Joan | 2:02 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 14 | O triste de mí, cancion for vocal ensemble | 2:31 min | Choral | - |
| 15 | N'Eulália vol gonella | 1:44 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 16 | La viuda, ensalada | 12:02 min | Choral | - |
| 17 | La Girigonza (La Girigonça; Jerigonza) | 1:54 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 18 | Gloria: Pues naçió, cancion for vocal ensemble | 2:11 min | Choral | - |
| 19 | Encúbrase el mal que siento, cancion for vocal ensemble | 2:16 min | Choral | - |
| 20 | El Jubilate, ensalada for 4 voices | 6:56 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 21 | Buscad de oy mas | 3:07 min | Chamber Music | - |
Albums featuring Mateo Flecha
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Mateu Fletxa, Bartomeu Càrceres, Joan Cererols - La Capella Reial De Catalunya, Hespèrion XX, Montserrat Figueras, Jordi Savall – El Cançoner Del Duc De Calàbria / Villancicos & Ensaladas / Missa Pro Defunctis · Missa De Batalla(4×SACD, Hybrid, Multic | 2013 | Alia Vox |
| 2 |  |
Mateo Fletxa, Bartomeu Càrceres, Pere Alberch Vila - La Colombina – Las Ensaladas, Praga 1581(CD, Album, Stereo) | 2009 | K617 |
| 3 |  |
Mateo Flecha - La Stagione Armonica, L'Amoroso, Sergio Balestracci – Ensaladas(SACD, Hybrid, Multichannel, Stereo, Album) | 2005 | cpo |
| 4 |  |
Mateo Flecha, New London Consort, Philip Pickett – Las Ensaladas(CD, ) | 1997 | L'Oiseau-Lyre |
| 5 |  |
Mateo Flecha, Juan de Herrera / Camerata Renacentista De Caracas, Isabel Palacios – Salades Et Bombes Catalanes (Mateo Flecha); Misa De Difuntos / Santa Fé De Bogota (Juan de Herrera) | 1997 | K617 |
| 6 |  |
Mateo Flecha El Viejo - Huelgas Ensemble · Paul van Nevel – Las Ensaladas (El Fuego – La Negrina – La Justa) (Burlesques Of The Spanish Renaissance) | 1991 | Sony Classical |
| 7 |  |
Mateo Flecha El Viejo, Coral Carmina, Jordi Casas – Ensaladas De Mateo Flecha, El Viejo(LP, Stereo) | 1977 | MEC |
| 8 |  |
Mateo Flecha El Viejo - Huelgas-Ensemble, Paul Van Nevel – Las Ensaladas(LP, Stereo) | 1975 | Alpha (34) |
| 9 |  |
Mateo Flecha, Camerata Renacentista De Caracas – Las Ensaladas(CD, Album, Stereo) | - | Not On Label |
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