Biography
No vihuelist of professional standing exceeded the prowess of this sightless performer, who executed highly challenging passages with exceptional skill regardless of unconventional tunings applied to the instrument. Fuenllana’s principal compositional achievement took the form of the “Orphenica lyra,” a compilation containing many works. Approximately half derived from compositions by Josquin, Morales, Verdelot, and Guerrero, which Fuenllana adapted specifically for the vihuela. Any additional modifications to these selections were avoided, since such changes would have been viewed as a corruption of the authentic source material. Textual elements were supplied whenever the pieces constituted songs. Within this volume, 52 fantasias originated from Fuenllana himself and exhibit qualities of technical rigor, contrapuntal intricacy, somber tone, and textural density.