Gaudeamus Igitur, Anonym

This anonymous song (Let Us Thus Rejoice) is the official university anthem. Although it was originally sung in the German universities by the middle of the XVIII century,most European universities sing it at their main academic celebrations nowadays.

Matona Mia Cara, Orlando di Lasso

This madrigal, one of best well known of the Flemish composer, is an outstanding piece of formal and stylistic subtlety.

The text, written in Italian, is put in the voice of a German soldier who hardly speaks Italian but addresses his Italian lover who is listening from a window.

It presents many double meanings -some of them really spicy-, of difficult translation and it is written in such a way that when it is sung, a strong German accent is evident.

To make things worse, the soldier also confuses some French words with Italian.

The composer’s ability to fully portray the limited soldiery language using simple expressions is extraordinary to create a really comical monologue.

Il Est Bel et Bon, Pierre Passereau

The author of this funny piece written in rapid counterpoint is Pierre Passereau, French composer and tenor of the beginning of the XVI century.

In the mood of any present reality show it describes how two foul-mouthed, vociferous women mock at each other’s husband and how they defend themselves from it.

Sarao de la Chacona, Juan Arañés

The chacona is one of the main Andalusian lively dances of the XVII century which had the biggest influence and impact in Europe of the time.

It is an invitation to clean fun and joy but also a mock of society and its archetypes.

It is remarkable to say that this is the first chacona for mixed voices written in Spanish.

Cuarteto solo: Musica notturna delle strade di Madrid, Luigi Boccherini

This work describes the bustling streets of night-time Madrid.

Canticorum Jubilo, G. F. Haendel

This popular lively piece from Haendel’s oratorium Judas Maccabeus, invites us to dance, sing, play musical instruments and has become an all-time classic song of joy.

Brindis, W. A. Mozart

Although the original canon, O Du Eselhafter Peierl, for 4 voices composed by Mozart is part of a set of canons for choir with rather scatological lyrics,

in Spanish it has got a very different translation as it was turned into “Brindis” (toast).

Ode to Joy, L. van Beethoven. (Arr. E. Hodges / J. Knapicius / E. Gallardo)

The Ode to Joy, sets to music Friedrich Schiller’s famous poem Ode an die Freude, and is included in the fourth movement of Beethoven’s 9th symphony.
First performed in 1824 represents Beethoven’s musical and philosophical testament.
It was officially appointed as The European Anthem the 19th January, 1972 and is World Heritage since 2001 due to the message of universal brotherhood and fraternity that it conveys .
The fact that it is usually performed on great events and celebrations reflects its importance beyond its musical importance.
The present version you are about to listen to for today’s Celebration of the Day of Europe 2021 and the opening of this Patio de las Naciones has specifically been arranged for the occasion by Eduardo Gallardo de Gomar from former arrangements by E. Hodges and J. Knapicius.