Tomás Luis de Victoria (sometimes Italianised as da Vittoria) was one of the most
important composers of the Counter-Reformation. A composer of equal stature
with Palestrina and Orlando di Lasso, Victoria was also an accomplished organist
and singer. Also being a Catholic priest, he devoted himself to the composition
of sacred music. His style, though exemplary of the late 16th
century, was contrapuntally freer and less complex than Palestrina's, and is
often considered to possess greater emotional intensity than the works of his
Italian counterpart. Victoria also employed instruments, which was not uncommon
in Spanish sacred music of the time, while some of his works also made use of
spatially separated groups of singers, much in the manner of the unique style employed
by the composers of the Venetian School.
Victoria was born in Sanchidrián in the province of Ávila,
Castile around 1548, the seventh of nine children born to Francisco Luis de
Victoria and Francesca Suárez de la Concha. Following his father's death in
1557, he was raised by his uncle, Juan Luis. He was a choirboy in the Ávila
Cathedral, and it is surmised from his accomplishments as an organist that he
may have begun studying the instrument from an early age.
In 1565, he left for Rome after receiving a grant from
Philip II. It is possible Victoria may have studied with Palestrina during this
time, yet there is no conclusive evidence to support the claim. Nonetheless,
his compositional style was influenced by his tenure in Rome, though always
retained its Spanish roots. In the Papal city, he was cantor at the German
College founded by St. Ignatius Loyola, and later secured another post at the
Pontifical Roman Seminary. When Palestrina left the Seminary, Victoria took over
the position of maestro. He was made a deacon, and
shortly thereafter, in 1574, was ordained as a priest, working at St. Girolamo
della Carità.
Despite his successes in Rome, Victoria ultimately returned
to his native country of Spain in 1585, where he served as teacher, organist,
and chaplain to the Dowager Empress Maria and her daughter, until the Empress's
death in 1603. Considered among Victoria's greatest compositions is the requiem
mass he wrote her funeral. Victoria himself died on August 20, 1611.
Tomás Luis de Victoria
Biography
Tomás Luis de Victoria (sometimes Italianised as da Vittoria) was one of the most important composers of the Counter-Reformation. A composer of equal stature with Palestrina and Orlando di Lasso, Victoria was also an accomplished organist and singer. Also being a Catholic priest, he devoted himself to the composition of sacred music. His style, though exemplary of the late 16th century, was contrapuntally freer and less complex than Palestrina's, and is often considered to possess greater emotional intensity than the works of his Italian counterpart. Victoria also employed instruments, which was not uncommon in Spanish sacred music of the time, while some of his works also made use of spatially separated groups of singers, much in the manner of the unique style employed by the composers of the Venetian School.
Victoria was born in Sanchidrián in the province of Ávila, Castile around 1548, the seventh of nine children born to Francisco Luis de Victoria and Francesca Suárez de la Concha. Following his father's death in 1557, he was raised by his uncle, Juan Luis. He was a choirboy in the Ávila Cathedral, and it is surmised from his accomplishments as an organist that he may have begun studying the instrument from an early age.
In 1565, he left for Rome after receiving a grant from Philip II. It is possible Victoria may have studied with Palestrina during this time, yet there is no conclusive evidence to support the claim. Nonetheless, his compositional style was influenced by his tenure in Rome, though always retained its Spanish roots. In the Papal city, he was cantor at the German College founded by St. Ignatius Loyola, and later secured another post at the Pontifical Roman Seminary. When Palestrina left the Seminary, Victoria took over the position of maestro. He was made a deacon, and shortly thereafter, in 1574, was ordained as a priest, working at St. Girolamo della Carità.
Despite his successes in Rome, Victoria ultimately returned to his native country of Spain in 1585, where he served as teacher, organist, and chaplain to the Dowager Empress Maria and her daughter, until the Empress's death in 1603. Considered among Victoria's greatest compositions is the requiem mass he wrote her funeral. Victoria himself died on August 20, 1611.