Composer

:

Mateo Flecha

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Occasional Music

Compose Date

:

1534 - 1543

Average_duration

:

15:51

La Justa is a choral work composed by Mateo Flecha in the 16th century. It is a part of the Ensaladas, a genre of Spanish Renaissance music that combines different languages and musical styles. La Justa is considered one of the most famous and complex Ensaladas, and it is still performed today. The composition of La Justa is believed to have taken place in the 1580s. It was premiered in the court of King Philip II of Spain, who was a patron of the arts and a lover of music. The piece was performed by a choir of singers and instrumentalists, and it was accompanied by dance and theatrical elements. La Justa is divided into four movements, each of which represents a different stage of a medieval jousting tournament. The first movement, called "La Batalla," depicts the preparation for the tournament and the arrival of the knights. The second movement, "El Paso," represents the parade of the knights and their horses. The third movement, "La Justa," is the actual jousting competition, with the knights fighting for honor and glory. The final movement, "La Vitoria," celebrates the victory of the winning knight and the end of the tournament. The characteristics of La Justa are typical of the Ensaladas genre. The piece combines different languages, including Spanish, Catalan, Italian, and Latin, and it features a variety of musical styles, such as dance music, folk music, and sacred music. The text of the piece is also diverse, ranging from descriptions of the tournament to religious references and humorous anecdotes. La Justa is a complex and challenging piece to perform, requiring a large choir and a variety of instruments, including percussion, strings, and wind instruments. The piece also requires a high level of coordination between the singers and the instrumentalists, as well as a strong sense of rhythm and timing. Overall, La Justa is a masterpiece of Spanish Renaissance music, showcasing the creativity and innovation of Mateo Flecha and the richness of the Ensaladas genre. Its enduring popularity and continued performance today are a testament to its enduring appeal and significance in the history of music.

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