A Golden Age

With the Reconquista and the discovery of the Americas in 1492, Spain found itself entering a century-long Golden Age during which it became widely recognised as the first global superpower under the powerful Habsburg rulers. With the ensuing flow of wealth from the newly conquered lands came an explosion in cultural activity, producing some of the period’s finest painters, architects and musicians. The Spanish Court and Spain’s major cities were a hotbed of musical innovation and produced some of the finest liturgical music ever written. Composers such as Morales, Guerro and Victoria were considered amongst the finest in Europe. Music from the Spanish cathedrals was even exported to the hastily built cathedrals in the New World, where they inspired a homegrown musical tradition.