Requiem of Tomas Luis de Victoria (1603)

Owen Rees' study of Victoria's Requiem combines historical and ritual contexts, musical analysis, and reception history, revealing its unique characteristics and place in Renaissance Spanish polyphony.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 276 pages
Publication date: 02 September 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Victoria's Requiem stands as one of the most cherished and widely performed musical compositions of the Renaissance, often regarded as a poignant Requiem for an era, encapsulating the pinnacle of golden-age Spanish polyphony. Surprisingly, despite its immense popularity, this remarkable work has received limited scholarly attention. In his comprehensive study, Owen Rees skillfully weaves together historical and ritualistic contexts, undertaking the first detailed musical analysis of the Requiem itself, while also tracing the long journey of its circulation and reception.

Composed in 1603 by Victoria for the funeral services of María of Austria, the Requiem underwent its publication two years later. The abundance of contemporary documentation provides a vivid reconstruction of these events and sheds light on the musical traditions associated with Habsburg exequies. Rees then situates Victoria's Requiem within the broader realm of a vast international repertory of Requiems, many of which had previously been overlooked, and identifies the unique techniques that render this work exceptionally distinctive and coherent.

This study not only deepens our understanding of Victoria's Requiem but also contributes to a broader appreciation of the rich tapestry of Renaissance musical composition. Rees's meticulous research and insightful analysis shed light on the historical, cultural, and musical factors that shaped this masterpiece, making it a valuable resource for scholars and music enthusiasts alike.

Weight: 486g
Dimension: 168 x 243 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781107676213