Morales, Cristofero

1512-1553

Spanish writer of religious music; born in Seville. From 1535 to 1540 he was a member of the Papal Chapel under Pope Paul III., and during the years spent there he composed much fine church-music, among which was his unsurpassed Lamentabatur Jacob, for many years sung by the Papal Choir on the fourth Sunday in Lent. From 1544 to 1545 he is said to have been master of the chapel at Toledo and to have sung in the Cathedral at Malaga in 1551. He returned to Seville in 1552 and in 1553 died, either at Seville or Malaga. His training seems to have been along the lines of the Netherlands school of counterpoint, and his writings show great fire and originality. Reprints of portions of his masses, magnificats and motets have appeared. He wrote two collections of masses, one for five voices and one for four; a well-known Magnificat; his Lamentations of Jeremiah for four, five and six voices, besides many other church compositions.