Juan Vazquez

As a Spanish composer and singer, Vasquez served at the Cathedrals of Badajoz and Palencia. In 1545 he was appointed as the master of the choir in Badajoz but the only sacred music he wrote that is extant was contained in the important "Agenda defunctorum." In this work primarily for four voices (some sections included three voices and others five) Vasquez not only demonstrated his ability with extended forms of music but also conveyed his facility for counterpoint and his beautiful and melodious lines. Cantus firmi are apparent in this work but he used them intermittently in all of the voices at various places. During his life Vasquez was most noted for his villancicos, approximately ninety in toto. Most of the music is formally typical but qualitative aspects of his music included easy counterpoint, textual emphasis with care given to the music for this purpose and delightful variations. ~ Keith Johnson