Mateo Albéniz

Mateo (Antonio) Perez de Albeniz praised the work of Haydn and Mozart and even copied their work for students. He was the first in Spain to do so. His strengths were clearly in both composition and theory which may have developed while he was "maestro de capilla" in San Sebastian. His sacred works number among the most important in northern Spain during his life time. An index of his works contains references to masses, Vespers, motets, Offices for the Dead, and surprisingly piano sonatas. Albeniz's text entitled "Instruccion metodica, especulativa, y practica, para ensenar a cantar y taner la musica moderna y antigua" is his most important theoretical contribution. ~ Keith Johnson