Ensaladas

Ensalada (Spanish for ‘salad’): a polyphonous mix of languages, rhythms, sultry folk songs and ardent devotion. This Iberian melting pot of musical ingredients reached its peak in the 16th century music of the Catalan composer Mateo Flecha. His El Jubilate celebrates the Spanish victory at the Battle of Pavia, whilst in La Bomba seamen brave a terrible storm. In La Justa, Flecha employs theatrical sound effects such as sounding trumpets and galloping hooves to portray Adam battling against the devil in a medieval tournament. The singers of Cantoría flavour the ensaladas with piquant songs about feasting, lust and adultery. When the mood threatens to become too licentious, Andalusian composers raise a finger in warning against the temptations of love.