Mariano Rodriguez de Ledesma

This Spanish composer who was split between his two homes in Madrid and London was greatly influenced by the German school of music. This may have kept him from receiving the accord he was due at home in Spain. Rodriguez served in the royal chapel of the king teaching the Princess and singing in the choir. He had extended stays twice in London where the critical world and popular world esteemed his music so much that he received an appointment to the Royal Academy of Music in 1825 and was made its singing director. Upon his return to Spain Rodriguez finally became the choirmaster to the royal chapel in 1836. The secular compositions of vocal music with piano accompaniment were the most important works before he devoted himself to purely sacred music. "Nine Lamentations for Holy Week" are considered to be the best of his creative production. His works are characterized by touches of the classicism of Mozart and Haydn but Romantic qualities permeate his compositions and declare Rodriguez to be among the first truly Romantic composers in Spain. His recordings include 1998's Sin Documentos. ~ Keith Johnson, All Music Guide