Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Portugal

Birth

:

June 11, 1704 in Coimbra, Portugal

Death

:

August 25, 1742 in Lisbon, Portugal

Period

:

Baroque

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

Carlos de Seixas was a Portuguese composer of the Baroque era, born on June 11, 1704, in Coimbra, Portugal. He was the son of Francisco Vaz and Marcelina Nunes, both of whom were musicians. His father was a composer and organist, and his mother was a singer. Carlos de Seixas grew up in a musical environment, and his parents were his first teachers. Seixas began his musical studies at a young age, and by the age of 14, he was already an accomplished musician. He studied with his father and with the organist João Rodrigues Esteves. In 1720, he was appointed organist at the Cathedral of Coimbra, where he remained for six years. During this time, he composed a number of works for the church, including masses, motets, and hymns. In 1726, Seixas moved to Lisbon, where he became the organist at the Royal Chapel. He remained in this position for the rest of his life, and it was during this time that he composed most of his works. Seixas was a prolific composer, and he wrote music in a variety of genres, including keyboard music, chamber music, and vocal music. Seixas is best known for his keyboard music, which includes sonatas, tocatas, and concertos. His keyboard music is characterized by its virtuosity and its use of counterpoint. Seixas was a master of the keyboard, and his music is still performed today by pianists and harpsichordists around the world. One of Seixas's most famous works is his Sonata in A minor, which is often referred to as the "Seixas Sonata." This work is a prime example of Seixas's keyboard music, and it is one of his most popular compositions. The sonata is in three movements, and it is characterized by its virtuosic keyboard writing and its use of counterpoint. Seixas also wrote a number of chamber music works, including sonatas for violin and continuo, and trio sonatas. His chamber music is characterized by its elegance and its use of counterpoint. Seixas was a master of counterpoint, and his music is often compared to that of Johann Sebastian Bach. In addition to his keyboard and chamber music, Seixas also wrote vocal music, including masses, motets, and hymns. His vocal music is characterized by its simplicity and its use of polyphony. Seixas was a devout Catholic, and his music reflects his faith. Seixas died on August 25, 1742, in Lisbon, Portugal. He was only 38 years old at the time of his death, but he had already established himself as one of the greatest composers of his time. His music continues to be performed and admired today, and he is considered one of the most important composers in the history of Portuguese music.

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