Españoleta

Spanish musicologist José López-Calo writes, "secular instrumental music on Spain during the seventeenth century constitutes one of the most sad and inexplicable gaps in all of our musical history." He points out that while there exists a sizeable repertory for solo guitar, harp, and keyboard, there is virtually no surviving ensemble music in seventeenth century Spain. While his comment is true, it does not tell the whole story. We know, for example, that other instruments, such as shawms, viols, violins, and percussion played important roles in the musical culture of Spain, often playing in ensemble. - Scott Pauley