Juan de Urrede

The origin of this composer is not certain. He may have been a native Spaniard or he may have migrated from the Netherlands. Characteristics of his music show a definitive Flemish-Burgundian flare but no other solid evidence demonstrates Urreda was from Flanders or Spain. He and his music were internationally known as can be discerned from the many copies of his music that exist in other manuscripts and editions. Themes from his music were employed by other composers in the inspiration of their works. His works are found in Spanish, French and Italian sources. "Nunca fue pena mayor" and Urreda's numerous settings of "Pange lingua" were often quoted. Of the later, approximately seventy five keyboard settings alone were undertaken and are now found in the Library in Barcelona. Urreda used tempus perfectum and smooth melodic lines consistently. He arranged and set Spanish themes with the Franco-Burgundian styles including the avoidance of the same rhythmic patterns. ~ Keith Johnson