Luis felipe de narvaez biography

Luis de Narváez (fl. 1526–49) was a Spanish composer and vihuelist. Highly regarded during his lifetime, Narváez is known today for Los seys libros del delphín, a collection of polyphonic music for the vihuela which includes the earliest known variation sets. He is also notable for being the earliest composer for vihuela to adapt the contemporary Italian style of lute music.

The exact date or even year of Narváez's birth is unknown. He was born in Granada and the earliest surviving references to him indicate that as early as 1526 he was a member of the household of Francisco de los Cobos y Molina, a well-known and very successful patron of the arts who was the secretary of State and comendador for the kingdom of Castile under Charles V. Narváez lived in Valladolid with his patron until the latter's death in 1547. It was during this period that the composer published Los seys libros del delphín (Valladolid, 1538), a large collection of music.

By 1548 Narváez was employed as musician of the royal chapel, where he also taught music to choristers. His colleagues there included the famous keyboard composer Antonio de Cabezón. Narváez and Cabezón were both employed as musicians for Felipe, Regent of Spain (later Philip II of Spain), and accompanied him on his many journeys. The last reference to Narváez is from one such journey: during the winter of 1549 he resided in the Low Countries.

Narváez was very highly regarded during his lifetime, particularly for his vihuela playing; he was reported to be able to improvise four parts over another four at sight. His son Andrés also became an accomplished vihuelist.

Spanish composer, vihuelist

For the Conquistador, see Luis de Narváez (conquistador).

Luis de Narváez (fl. 1526–1549) was a Spanish composer and vihuelist. Highly regarded during his lifetime, Narváez is known today for Los seys libros del Delphín, a collection of polyphonic music for the vihuela which includes the earliest known variation sets. He is also notable for being the earliest composer for vihuela to adapt the contemporary Italian style of lute music.

Life

The exact date or even year of Narváez's birth is unknown. He was born in Granada and the earliest surviving references to him indicate that as early as 1526 he was a member of the household of Francisco de los Cobos y Molina, a well-known and very successful patron of the arts who was the Secretary of State and commentator for the kingdom of Castile under Charles V. Narváez lived in Valladolid with his patron until the latter's death in 1547, although he was working for the Duke of Medina Sidonia between 1539 and 1540. It was during this period that the composer published Los seys libros del delphín (Valladolid, 1538), a large collection of music.

By 1548 Narváez was employed as musician of the royal chapel, where he also taught music to choristers. His colleagues there included the famous keyboard composer Antonio de Cabezón. Narváez and Cabezón were both employed as musicians for Felipe, Regent of Spain (later Philip II of Spain), and accompanied him on his many journeys. The last reference to Narváez is from one such journey: during the winter of 1549 he resided in the Low Countries.

Narváez was very highly regarded during his lifetime, particularly for his vihuela playing; he was reported to be able to improvise four parts over another four at sight. His son Andrés also became an accomplished vihuelist.

Works

Narváez's most important surviving music is contained in Los seys libros del Delphin de música de cifras para tañer vihuela (

Luis de Narváez's birthplace sometime around the year 1500 was Granada, Spain. Highly regarded as a composer and vihuelist in his lifetime, today he is known for a published collection of polyphonic vihuela music Los seys libros del delphín which includes the earliest known variation sets. He first appears in 1526 in the household of Francisco de los Cobos y Molina, the secretary of state and comendador for the kingdom of Castile under Charles V the king of Spain.

Narváez lived in Valladolid, the then capital of Spain, in the employment of this personage who was famously also a patron of the arts. It was here in 1538 that the composer published Los seys libros del delphín which he dedicated to his patron. By 1548 he was employed as a musician in the royal chapel of Felipe, regent of Spain (later Philip II of Spain) along with the famous keyboard composer Antonio de Cabezón, Narváez also taught music to the chapel's choristers and conducted the choir. He accompanied the royal entourage on many journeys and his last historical reference is that he resided in the Low Countries during the winter of 1549.

This Spanish Maestro is known as the earliest composer for the vihuela to adapt Italian style lute music for his instrument. As a vihuelist he was highly regarded in his lifetime, particularly his improvisatory skills which included an ability to improvise a tetrachord (4 part) music based on another tetrachord piece which he had never seen before. He also was devoted to polyphonic vocal music.

The six-volume collection for vihuela Los seys libros del delphín (Valladolid, 1538) is Narváez's most important surviving music. The collection is dedicated to his then patron Francisco de los Cobos. The tablature notation employed for the collection is a modified version of Italian lute tablature. The first two volumes feature fourteen polyphonic fantasias modelled after the Italian style. Occasionally short motifs with identical left-ha