A study of the evolution of musical style in Hispanic churches in the New World reveals a remarkable melding of a number of cultures. Spanish colonists carried the musical traditions of the European Renaissance to the native people of the Americas, and, through time and circumstance, these traditions merged in the American Southwest to create a musical genre with a rich historical grounding. A treasury of sacred works by the finest composers from Spain and the New World - from the Renaissance majesty of Morales and Victoria to the Misa Criolla, one of the 20th century's most beloved choral works. This is the program that was performed for a tour of Northern New Mexico historic churches during the summer of 2005. |