Pedro Aranaz

Full biography Pedro Aranaz

Pedro Aranaz y Vides (1742-1821) was a Spanish composer known for his works in sacred and secular music. He left behind some remarkable compositions that have been preserved to this day. Some of his works are hymns and choral pieces that are still being performed today.

Aranaz was trained in music at the Cathedral of Cuenca, where he had a successful career as a choirboy and later as a maestro de capilla. He served in this role at various churches in southern Spain throughout his life. Aranaz's compositions were mainly written in the classical style of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, with a strong emphasis on melody and harmony.

Aranaz was also known for his operatic works, which were popular during his lifetime. He wrote several Spanish-language comic operas that were performed in various cities in Spain, including Madrid, Valencia, and Cuenca. Although many of his operas have been lost, the libretti that he wrote for them have been preserved.

In addition to his musical career, Aranaz was also known as a prolific letter writer. Several of his handwritten letters have survived to this day, providing insights into his personal life as well as his thoughts and ideas about music.

Overall, Pedro Aranaz was a respected and influential composer of his time, whose works continue to be appreciated and studied by musicians and music scholars today.