José de Larrañaga
Encyclopedia
Fray José de Larrañaga was a Franciscan
monk, organist, maestro de capilla of the Sanctuary of Arantzazu
, composer, and active in the Basque
musical and cultural movement of the 18th Century.
(Spanish Azcoitia) in 1728, and entered the Franciscan order as a young man.
Although formal music in the Sanctuary of Arantzazu was still modelled on traditional Spanish models of Morales, Guerrero and Victoria, Larrañag also had access to, and was influenced by the late baroque Italianate style of Handel
and Domenico Scarlatti
. For example the archive in Arantzazu contains two concertos by Handel copied in 1758.
Despite his monastic status Larrañaga was closely linked to the birth of the Royal Basque Society of Friends of the Country
, a movement bringing Enlightenment
ideas in science and culture to the Basque country. Larrangada was therefore one of the 200 or more individuals in the Basque country who between 1789 and 1794 were investigated for their connections to Enlightenment movements abroad. Larrangada was acquainted with Rousseau, possibly through his associate Manuel Ignacio Altuna y Portu who had met Rousseau in Venice. Larranaga also belonged to the circle of the Gentleman of Azcoitia around Don Xavier María de Munibe e Idiáquez
, count of Peñaflorida, who gathered at his home, the Palacio Insausti, in Azkoitia
, Guipúzcoa, the composer's home town. He died in Arantzazu.
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
monk, organist, maestro de capilla of the Sanctuary of Arantzazu
Sanctuary of Arantzazu
The Sanctuary of Arantzazu is a Franciscan sanctuary located in Oñati, Basque Country, Spain. The shrine is a much appreciated place among Gipuzkoans, with the Virgin of Arantzazu standing for the main worship figure and patron of the province along with Ignatius of Loyola.The place benefits from...
, composer, and active in the Basque
Basque music
The strict classification of Basque music remains a controversial issue, complicated in part by the growing diversification of such music, but by and large it is made in the Basque Country, it reflects traits related to that society/tradition and it is devised by people from the Basque...
musical and cultural movement of the 18th Century.
Life
Larrañaga was born in AzkoitiaAzkoitia
Azkoitia is a town located in the province of Gipuzkoa, in the Autonomous Community of Basque Country, in the northern Spain...
(Spanish Azcoitia) in 1728, and entered the Franciscan order as a young man.
Although formal music in the Sanctuary of Arantzazu was still modelled on traditional Spanish models of Morales, Guerrero and Victoria, Larrañag also had access to, and was influenced by the late baroque Italianate style of Handel
HANDEL
HANDEL was the code-name for the UK's National Attack Warning System in the Cold War. It consisted of a small console consisting of two microphones, lights and gauges. The reason behind this was to provide a back-up if anything failed....
and Domenico Scarlatti
Domenico Scarlatti
Giuseppe Domenico Scarlatti was an Italian composer who spent much of his life in the service of the Portuguese and Spanish royal families. He is classified as a Baroque composer chronologically, although his music was influential in the development of the Classical style...
. For example the archive in Arantzazu contains two concertos by Handel copied in 1758.
Despite his monastic status Larrañaga was closely linked to the birth of the Royal Basque Society of Friends of the Country
Real Sociedad Bascongada de Amigos del País
The Royal Basque Society of Friends of the Country also known as La Bascongada or Bascongada Society was born in the XVIII century to promote the cientific, cultural and economical development of the Basque Country.The founding members were the...
, a movement bringing Enlightenment
Age of Enlightenment
The Age of Enlightenment was an elite cultural movement of intellectuals in 18th century Europe that sought to mobilize the power of reason in order to reform society and advance knowledge. It promoted intellectual interchange and opposed intolerance and abuses in church and state...
ideas in science and culture to the Basque country. Larrangada was therefore one of the 200 or more individuals in the Basque country who between 1789 and 1794 were investigated for their connections to Enlightenment movements abroad. Larrangada was acquainted with Rousseau, possibly through his associate Manuel Ignacio Altuna y Portu who had met Rousseau in Venice. Larranaga also belonged to the circle of the Gentleman of Azcoitia around Don Xavier María de Munibe e Idiáquez
Xavier María de Munibe e Idiáquez
Xavier María de Munibe e Idiáquez, Conde de Peñaflorida , was an important figure of Enlightenment Spain...
, count of Peñaflorida, who gathered at his home, the Palacio Insausti, in Azkoitia
Azkoitia
Azkoitia is a town located in the province of Gipuzkoa, in the Autonomous Community of Basque Country, in the northern Spain...
, Guipúzcoa, the composer's home town. He died in Arantzazu.
Works
Partial list of edited works:- various keyboard works.
- In omnibus requiem. Spiritual cantata for 5 voices with instruments.
- Missus est angelus (1785). Spiritual cantata for 5 voices with violins, trumpets and bass.
- Lamentation for the first day (1759), for 5 voices with violins, oboes, clarinets and muted horns.
- Prayer of Jeremiah - Oratorio Jeremías, for 5 voices with violins, oboes, horns and basso continuo.
Selected recordings
- Fray José de Larrañaga Arantzazu XVIII - Sacred canatata In omnibus, Lamentations. Capilla PeñafloridaCapilla PeñafloridaThe Capilla Peñaflorida is a Spanish early music group founded in 1985 by Jon Bagüés.The first director was the late José Rada Sereno . Currently musical direction is shared by the founder, the Basque musicologist Jon Bagüés , and by the bass Josep Cabré...
, Fabio Bonizzoni, NB musika. 2008