Composer. He is considered one of Spain's three outstanding composers of the 16th Century, along with Cristobal de Morales and Tomas Luis de Victoria. Unlike his compatriots he spent nearly all his life in his homeland, and his music has the strongest Spanish influence. Guerrero was born in Seville. He trained as a choirboy at the Seville Cathedral, where he showed outstanding talent, entered the priesthood, and became music director there in 1555. In 1581 he visited Rome and in 1588 he embarked on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, which took him to Damascus, Bethlehem, and Jerusalem. Upon his return Guerrero published a book about the latter journey, "El Viage de Hierusalem" (1592), in which he described being shipwrecked and later held for ransom by pirates; it was a popular success. He was planning another trip to the Middle East when he died of plague in Seville. One of his own Requiems was sung at his funeral. For over a century Guerrero was the most popular religious composer in the Spanish-speaking world, and among the first to be widely performed in the Western Hemisphere. Although he was a master polyphonist, his style is notable mainly for its lyricism, directness, and gentle humility. He once said he wanted his music to "enlighten souls, not induce flattery". Some 200 of his works are extant, most of them published during his lifetime: 18 Masses, two Requiems, and many motet settings of the Psalms, Vespers, and Passions. He also produced a collection of sacred and profane madrigals, "Canciones y Villanescas Espirituales".
Composer. He is considered one of Spain's three outstanding composers of the 16th Century, along with Cristobal de Morales and Tomas Luis de Victoria. Unlike his compatriots he spent nearly all his life in his homeland, and his music has the strongest Spanish influence. Guerrero was born in Seville. He trained as a choirboy at the Seville Cathedral, where he showed outstanding talent, entered the priesthood, and became music director there in 1555. In 1581 he visited Rome and in 1588 he embarked on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, which took him to Damascus, Bethlehem, and Jerusalem. Upon his return Guerrero published a book about the latter journey, "El Viage de Hierusalem" (1592), in which he described being shipwrecked and later held for ransom by pirates; it was a popular success. He was planning another trip to the Middle East when he died of plague in Seville. One of his own Requiems was sung at his funeral. For over a century Guerrero was the most popular religious composer in the Spanish-speaking world, and among the first to be widely performed in the Western Hemisphere. Although he was a master polyphonist, his style is notable mainly for its lyricism, directness, and gentle humility. He once said he wanted his music to "enlighten souls, not induce flattery". Some 200 of his works are extant, most of them published during his lifetime: 18 Masses, two Requiems, and many motet settings of the Psalms, Vespers, and Passions. He also produced a collection of sacred and profane madrigals, "Canciones y Villanescas Espirituales".
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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