Early in the eigth century, Moorish armies from Norhern Africa invaded the Iberian peninsula and established a new Islamic kingdom. 50,000 Jews came & more followed, this racial mix of Moors, Jews and Christians survived until the fall of last Moorish kingdom, Granada, in 1492. Jews were exiled & catholocism became a state religion.

After the accession of Ferdinand & Isabella in 1474, the practice of employing only Spanish musicians was introduced to the court. Charles V crowned King of Castille in 1518 kept an outstanding choir. The group of seven isntrumentalist (ministriles) inherited from Ferdinand expanded to ten, these were the musicians who played in his chamber & travelled abroad.

In 1526 Seville Cathedral hired an instrumental group to supplement its choir and provide purely instrumental music & by the mid 16^thC such cathedrals as Granada, Burgos, Toledo & Valencia all had such an ensemple.

Spanish aristocracy also had instrumental ensembles and composers of note in their service & in the larger cities like Madrid & Barcelona there was never a shortage of freelance musicians in the streets & squares.

Music of the Spanish Renaissance is La Compañia's first cd. It features three early music components from the 1998 film Elizabeth, specially re-recorded for the cd.

¤ The Duke of Anjou's marriage proposal scene

El Balenton de los Zielos (1)

¤ The Queen offers a ring to Anjou

Hola Han Pastorcillos (7)

¤ Mock sea battle

Rodrigo Marinex (8)

Playlist
1.	El Balenton de los Zielos (Diego de Pontac 1603-1654)
2.	Oy, Joseph (Francisco Guerrero 1528-1599)
3.	A un nino Ilorando (Francisco Guerrero 1528-1599)
4.	El Fuego (Matheo Flecha the Elder 1481-1553)
5.	Fantasia suela del quarto tono (Enríquuz de Valderrábano mid16thC)
6.	De Antequera sale el moro (Miguel de Fuenllana)
7.	Hola Han pastorcillos (Dom Gabriel de s.Joã o, Portugese early 17thC)
8.	Rodrigo Martinez (Anon.)
9.	Si habrá en este baldres (Juan del Enzina)
10.	Claros y frescos rios (Alonso Mudarra)
11.	Si me Ilaman, a mi Ilaman (Alonso Mudarra)
12.	Nino Dios d'amor herido (Francisco Guerrero 1528-1599)
13.	Levanta, Pascual (Juan del Enzina)
14.	Pero que seja a gente (Anon.)
15.	Partístesos, mis amores (Juan del Enzina)
16.	La Spagna (Heirich Isaac)
17.	Hoy comamos y bebamos (Juan del Enzina)

Musicians

Vivien Hamilton voice Danny Lucin cornetto, Paolo Fanciullacci (Italy) 1997 mute cornet, Henri Gohin (France) 1995 Mitchell Cross soprano shawm, John Hanchet (Germany) 1996 spanish alto shawm, John Hanchet (Germany) 1998 bells Racheal Cogan ganassi recorder in C, Michael Grinter (Australia) 1992 ganassi recorder in G, Michael Grinter (Australia) 1998 Bob Collins tenor sackbut, Frank Tomes (England) 1992 spanish bagpipes Ian Mackenzie (Austalia) 1997 Glenn Bardwell tenor sackbut, Meinl (Germany) 1978 Rosemary Hodgson vihuela de mano, Lourdes Uncilla Moreno (Spain) 1986 Christine Baker long drum Ben Harmes (USA) 1998 darabuka, tamborine Mara Saiz castenets Thanks to Ralph di Franco (University of Denver) Gaye Mercier Michael Christoforidis Recording engineer Thomas Grubb Front cover design John Franklin (jonart)