La Spagna!

The music of Spain’s ‘Golden Age’ (circa 1490-1650) ranged from the serene polyphony of composers like Victoria to the infectious dance rhythms of the villancico repertoire. This concert by The English Cornett & Sackbut Ensemble (ECSE) celebrates the musical traditions of the Iberian peninsular, as well as the skill of the renaissance Spanish wind players, or Ministriles, who were present in towns, courts and cathedrals. These players of cornetts, sackbuts and shawms entertained in market squares, accompanied royal processions and dances, and played sacred music in service of the church, making music integral to renaissance daily life.