Pablo Bruna
Encyclopedia
Pablo Bruna was a Spanish
composer and organist
notable for his blindness (suffered after a childhood bout of smallpox
), which resulted in his being known as "El ciego de Daroca
" ("the blind man of Daroca"). It is not known how Bruna received his musical training, but in 1631 he was appointed organist of the collegiate church of St. María
in his hometown of Daroca, later rising to choirmaster in 1674. He remained there until his death in 1679.
Thirty-two of Bruna's organ works have survived, mostly in the tiento
form. Many, known as tientos de medio registro, are for divided keyboard, a typical feature of Spanish organs. Bruna was known as a capable teacher and his nephew Diego Xaraba
, whom he taught, also became a prominent musician.
Spanish people
The Spanish are citizens of the Kingdom of Spain. Within Spain, there are also a number of vigorous nationalisms and regionalisms, reflecting the country's complex history....
composer and organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
notable for his blindness (suffered after a childhood bout of smallpox
Smallpox
Smallpox was an infectious disease unique to humans, caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. The disease is also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera, which is a derivative of the Latin varius, meaning "spotted", or varus, meaning "pimple"...
), which resulted in his being known as "El ciego de Daroca
Daroca
Daroca is a city and municipality in the province of Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain, situated to the south of the city of Zaragoza. It is the center of a judicial district....
" ("the blind man of Daroca"). It is not known how Bruna received his musical training, but in 1631 he was appointed organist of the collegiate church of St. María
Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus' most celebrated disciples, and the most important woman disciple in the movement of Jesus. Jesus cleansed her of "seven demons", conventionally interpreted as referring to complex illnesses...
in his hometown of Daroca, later rising to choirmaster in 1674. He remained there until his death in 1679.
Thirty-two of Bruna's organ works have survived, mostly in the tiento
Tiento
Tiento is a musical genre originating in Spain in the mid-15th century. It is formally analogous to the fantasia , found in England, Germany, and the Low Countries, and also the ricercare, first found in Italy. The word derives from the Spanish verb tentar , and was originally applied to music...
form. Many, known as tientos de medio registro, are for divided keyboard, a typical feature of Spanish organs. Bruna was known as a capable teacher and his nephew Diego Xaraba
Diego Xaraba
Diego Xaraba was a Spanish organist and composer. A nephew of organist Pablo Bruna, Xaraba studied with him at Daroca. He is known to have been working as the organist of El Pilar in Zaragoza in around 1676; he was later employed in the chapel of Carlos II in Madrid, where he died...
, whom he taught, also became a prominent musician.