Pedro de Cristo

Pedro de Cristo (1545/1550 – 12 December 1618) was a Portuguese composer of Renaissance music. He is one of the most important Portuguese polyphonists of the 16th and 17th centuries.

Life Pedro de Cristo was born in Coimbra, and in 1571 entered the Augustinian monastery of Santa Cruz in Coimbra. While there, he studied under Francisco de Santa Maria, who was the current chapel master (mestre de capela). Pedro de Cristo succeeded Francisco de Santa Maria as chapel master before serving in the same role at the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora in Lisbon. Cristo was ordered to return to Santa Cruz in 1605. In 1615, he was allowed to return to São Vicente. He died as the result of a fall in Coimbra in 1618.

Music and Influence While at the Santa Cruz monastery, Pedro de Cristo likely studied under the chapel master Francisco de Santa Maria. This influence can be seen in Cristo's early music through his limited vocal range, syllabic text settings, and the combined use of cambiata and passing tones of figuration. but also for his versatile background in various instruments. Cristo could play several instruments, including the keyboard, harp, flute, and dulcian. A contemporary manuscript, the Livro dos Recebimentos of the Arquivo da Torre do Tombo notes his death as follows : "Dom Pedro de Christo / tangedor de baixão E tecla excellente / objit de huma queda” (Dom Pedro de Christo / excellent player of the dulcian and keyboard / died as the result of a fall). This was unusual for Portugal at the time, and his rhythmic stye became notable in his later polychoral works. These works include his Magnificat and Sanctorum merities. Most of Pedro de Cristo's surviving compositions are set for four or five voices and imitative in style. His music is also marked by its conciseness as well as melodic and harmonic sequences.

Works (alphabetical order - incomplete)

Ave Maria à 8 Ave maris stella Ay mi Dios Beata viscera Mariae Beate martir Dum complerentur dies Pentecostes Es nascido Hodie nobis In manus tuas Magnificat à 8 O magnum mysterium Osanna filio David Quaeramus cum pastoribus Regina coeli Salva nos Domine Sanctissimi quinque martires Sanctorum meritis Tristis est anima mea