Selected from the 1578 Obras de Música published by blind keyboard master Antonio de Cabezón’s son Hernando, these glosas enrich the vast resource of Renaissance vocal music through variation and elaboration. Extra layers of polyphony and ornament crystallize the tradition of improvisation on pre-existing works, both in the splendour of the sacred, and in chansons and madrigals with more secular emotions.

Welcomed as a “new form of opportunity for discovering musical inventiveness” (Examiner.com on 857247576, the complete Tientos and Variations), this release further develops Glen Wilson’s learned and musically excellent exploration of the works of Antonio de Cabezón and his less well-known brother and son.

Musicologists and harpsichordists will be keen to hear where Wilson has worked on correcting the errors of the original 16th century publisher, and with some spectacularly difficult music in terms of sheer technical content we can be sure this recording will be the new reference for numerous rarely recorded masterpieces.