Convidando

Program Note:

What musical culture existed in America before the arrival of Europeans is generally transmitted through a Spanish filter since all published music beginning in the 16th century stems from composers of mixed American (and sometimes African-American) and Spanish heritage. Juan García de Zéspedes (ca. 1619–1678) was born in Mexico and trained originally as a chorister in his hometown cathedral at Puebla. He had the good fortune to learn music from Juan Padílla, one of the brightest and most prolific composers working in Mexico. Zéspedes eventually succeeded Padílla upon the latter’s death, and he continued composing both sacred and secular works until his own death in 1678. Works like Convidando, a celebration of the birth of Jesus, lack specific instrumentation. Vocally inspired, Convidando can be performed a cappella or for one or more voices with instrumental support. The form is highly strophic, with tempo and rhythmic patterns largely driving the changes. This sectional structure allows the music to be easily adapted to different occasions, being longer or shorter as the liturgical needs demanded.

(c) Jason Stell