Cabanilles, Juan Bautista José

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Cabanilles, Juan Bautista José

Cabanilles, Juan Bautista José, Spanish organist and composer; b. Algemesi, province of Valencia, Sept. 4, 1644; d. Valencia, April 29, 1712. He studied for the priesthood at Valencia and probably received his musical training at the Cathedral there. He was appointed organist of the Valencia Cathedral May 15, 1665 (succeeding J. de la Torre), and retained that post until his death. He was ordained a priest on Sept. 22, 1668. He was the greatest of the early Spanish composers for organ, and the most prolific. He composed chiefly “tientos,” remarkable for the ingenious use of the variation form (on liturgical or popular themes). A complete ed. of his works, in four vols., has been edited by H. Angles (Barcelona, 1927–52). The Obras vocales are edited by J. Climent (Valencia, 1971).

Bibliography

A. Garcia Ferreras, J.B. C.: Sein Leben und sein Werk (Regensburg, 1973).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire