Composer of the Month 8/2011: Tomás Luis de Victoria   (selected by Peter van Dessel / Belgium)

Spain 16.6.1985 The Spanish composer Tomás Luis de Victoria was born about 1548 in Sanchidrián / Spain. At the Cathedral of Avila he enjoyed a solid vocal and school education. 1565, he went on a scholarship from King Philip II to the seminary of the Jesuits in Rome. In 1571 he took over as moderator musicae the management of the chapel of the seminary as a successor to Palestrina. In 1585 he returned to Spain as the personal chaplain to the Empress Maria, and head of the chapel of the royal monastery of Santa Clara De Descalzas. Tomás Luis de Victoria is considered one of Spain's greatest composers. His musical work is best understood from his work as a priest and his deep strength of faith. He wrote many vocal works of liturgical church music. His most famous work is the "Officium Sanctae Hebdomadae", a collection of hymns for Holy Week. Tomás Luis de Victoria died on 27 August 1611 in Madrid. In August 2011 his death anniversary comes up again for the 400th time. The video shows "The Tallis Scholars" directed by Peter Phillips, with Victoria's "Lamento for Maundy Thursday" from the "Officium Sanctae Hebdomadae" (filmed at the Chapel of Merton College, Oxford / 2011). More composer can be found in the members only section