Responsorios de Navidad

The enormous popularity of the works of José de Nebra, the most important Spanish composer of the mid-18th century, is surprising. His manuscripts are scattered in archives in Spain and America. José de Nebra became organist of the Spanish royal chapel in 1724 and vice-maestro in 1751. After the ban on performing villancicos in the royal institution in 1750, Nebra composed a complete series of responsories for the Christmas service. Of the different versions, La Grande Chapelle offers the complete version from 1752, which is undoubtedly one of the essential works of Spanish Baroque music. The performance of this collection, based on the study and transcription of the transmitted musical sources, represents a premiere of great musicological and artistic significance.