Miguel de Irizar

Full biography Miguel de Irizar

Miguel de Irizar (1635-1684) was a Spanish composer during the Baroque period. He was highly regarded in his time and was known for his compositions of villancicos, which were short songs with religious themes that were popular in Spain during the Baroque era.

Not much is known about Irizar's early life, but it is believed that he was born in the Basque Country in northern Spain. He received his musical education in the Cathedral of Segovia, where he later worked as the maestro de capilla (musical director).

Irizar was a prolific composer, with over 300 compositions attributed to him. His works were known for their lively rhythms, and many of his villancicos drew on popular folk music of the time. The use of syncopation was a particular hallmark of Irizar's compositions.

Despite his success as a composer, Irizar struggled financially throughout his life, and often had to rely on the patronage of wealthy individuals to support his work. In one letter, he described himself as a "poor wretch," lamenting the fact that he was not given the recognition he felt he deserved.

Today, Irizar's music is not as well known as that of some of his contemporaries, but his contributions to the development of Spanish Baroque music are still celebrated. His music has been performed and recorded by various ensembles and musicians, and he remains an important figure in the history of Spanish music.