Alonso Mudarra (1510-1580)

Alonso Mudarra was raised in Guadalajra, Spain and was known not only for his composition, but also as a vihuelist. After traveling to Italy in 1529, he returned to Spain and, like many early Spanish composers, became a priest. In 1546 Mudarra earned the position of canon at Seville Cathedral. He was influential in the cathedral's operations from planning celebrations to hiring musicians to building a new organ. It was also in 1546 that Mudarra's comprehensive Tres libros de musica en cifras para vilhuela was published, comprised of 77 works for vihuela, harp, and organ. Some of the earliest published works for guitar, these pieces used a new system of tablature for harp and organ. Mudarra wrote over 27 fantasias and also several short tientos. He is also known for his vocal songs which include romances, villancicos, and canciones set to text by Garcilaso, Boscán, and Petrarch. Mudarra died in Seville and left a considerable amount of money to be distributed to the poor people of the city.