Pál Esterházy

This composer, poet and artistic patron wrote a collection of poems "Much-loved dance of Palas and Ester" describing the instruments that were being used in Hungary. He served in a political position for the court of Leopold I and composed a number of sacred cantatas and secular songs while in service. Performing upon the virginal it is likely that some of the body of his work incorporated settings for this instrument as well. "Harmonic caelestis seu melodiae musicae per decursum totius anni adhibendae ad usum musicorum" was a collection of 55 of Esterhazy's cantatas which included solos, duets, and choral pieces. He arranged works in accordance with the liturgical calendar set to a Latin text and demonstrated quite a variance in his musical abilities. Some of the cantatas were scored in polyphony or homophony and his instrumental music is illustrative of a glowing musical aptitude. ~ Keith Johnson