Credits:

Rory McCleery

Description:

Europes First Black Composer?The depth of refined polyphonic composition, performed by Britains premier a cappella ensembleIn the 16th century, as Muslim rule was swept from the Iberian Peninsula and Europe headed toward the height of the Renaissance, Portugal, then a global empire, produced many outstanding cultural figures, and numerous composers emerged who crafted exquisite polyphonic music. Among them was the protagonist of this album, Vicente Lusitano (this name simply means Vicente of Portugal, and his real name has not yet been identified), was one of the geniuses who flourished across various nations during that era. Moreover, according to records, his maternal ancestors were of African descent, and he is regarded as the earliest Black composer to have published sheet music in Europe. Although he converted to Protestantism in his later years and there are indications he had contact wi