The Spanish Golden Age was largely characterized by a return to the needs of the common man. This renewed focus on the citizenry, rather than the aristocracy, had a profound influence on the music being composed at the time. Works were no longer solely written for court use; in the 16th century there can be found a wealth of folk music very much oriented towards the Spanish peasant. This illustrates a divide which recurs throughout Spanish history. Rodrigo himself was heavily influenced by the Spanish Civil War, a pivotal aspect of which was the struggle of the lower and middle class against the burguesia, or the elite.
Nothing else in Rodrigo's catalogue is more heavily influenced by folk music than his "Cuatro Madrigales Amatorios". Composed in 1948, this collection of four love songs is drawn almost entirely from 16th century vocal music. Three of these madrigals are entitled Vos me matásteis (You have destroyed me), De los álamos vengo, madre (I have been by the poplars, Mother), and ¿Con qué la lavaré? (With what then shall I bathe?). All three of these were originally written by Miguel de Fuenllana. Fuenllana himself adapted the first two, Vos me matásteis and De los álamos vengo, madre for vihuela from songs composed by Juan Vásquez. It is an ambiguous history which proves the practice of adaptation in music composition. Like Fuenllana did with the music of Vásquez in the 16th century, Rodrigo does some 400 years later with nearly the same material. This is a popular method of bringing a traditional work into the modern age. Fuenllana modernized these songs by rewriting them for vihuela, while Rodrigo casts them in a more contemporary light by orchestrating them for an ensemble befitting the 20th century, with a full orchestra sound complete with strings and winds. The fourth madrigal, De donde venis, amore? (From where have you come beloved?) is a recomposed song by Enriquez de Valderrábano.
Fuenllana wrote his three madrigals as part of his "Orphenica Lyra", which was composed for the court of Prince Phillip II. This may seem to be at odds with the "popular" focus of art in the Golden Age - however, during this time it was a philosophy embraced as much by the upper class as much as it was by the Spanish citizens. This led to a fascination with, and romanticization of, "peasant" music in the royal court. This endorsement proved a great boon to the popularity of the villancico, which rose to prominence at this time as a polyphonic form which we hear today in many great madrigals. It was adopted most enthusiastically by Juan Vásquez.
Nothing else in Rodrigo's catalogue is more heavily influenced by folk music than his "Cuatro Madrigales Amatorios". Composed in 1948, this collection of four love songs is drawn almost entirely from 16th century vocal music. Three of these madrigals are entitled Vos me matásteis (You have destroyed me), De los álamos vengo, madre (I have been by the poplars, Mother), and ¿Con qué la lavaré? (With what then shall I bathe?). All three of these were originally written by Miguel de Fuenllana. Fuenllana himself adapted the first two, Vos me matásteis and De los álamos vengo, madre for vihuela from songs composed by Juan Vásquez. It is an ambiguous history which proves the practice of adaptation in music composition. Like Fuenllana did with the music of Vásquez in the 16th century, Rodrigo does some 400 years later with nearly the same material. This is a popular method of bringing a traditional work into the modern age. Fuenllana modernized these songs by rewriting them for vihuela, while Rodrigo casts them in a more contemporary light by orchestrating them for an ensemble befitting the 20th century, with a full orchestra sound complete with strings and winds. The fourth madrigal, De donde venis, amore? (From where have you come beloved?) is a recomposed song by Enriquez de Valderrábano.
Fuenllana wrote his three madrigals as part of his "Orphenica Lyra", which was composed for the court of Prince Phillip II. This may seem to be at odds with the "popular" focus of art in the Golden Age - however, during this time it was a philosophy embraced as much by the upper class as much as it was by the Spanish citizens. This led to a fascination with, and romanticization of, "peasant" music in the royal court. This endorsement proved a great boon to the popularity of the villancico, which rose to prominence at this time as a polyphonic form which we hear today in many great madrigals. It was adopted most enthusiastically by Juan Vásquez.
Ultimately, much of the music most indicative of 16th century Spain can be traced back to Juan Vásquez. Fuenllana, himself fully entrenched in the popular spirit of the Golden Age, adapted the music of Vásquez that can be seen most clearly to reflect these values. In "Vos me matasteis" (left), the soloist performs a song of love which comes straight out of Spanish peasant culture, expressing heartbreak which the elite were likely not overly familiar with. Given the romantic, sweeping hyperbole of the music ("Long haired maiden, You have made me die") it is clear why the sort of sentiment popularized by the Golden Age captured the imagination of all men and woman, regardless of class.
The above performance showcases the tragic nature of the music. Themes of anguish and pain seemed to be characteristic of the Golden Age; in a time when arts and literature were flourishing, it became fashionable to share in the hardship experienced by the lower class. It was the elite's fascination with romantic adversity which served to popularize such a broad musical movement, and gave birth to some of the time's most exemplary art. It's understandable that Rodrigo would strive to honor these works. Indeed, it was during a time of intense pain that he composed part of his most recognized piece, the Concierto De Aranjuez. It is through the tributes of composers like Rodrigo that the music of this extraordinary era lives on through the 21st century.