Manuel Cardoso was a distinguished composer emerging from the rich tapestry of the Renaissance period, a figure of immense importance in Portuguese polyphonic music. Born in Fronteira, Portugal, in 1566, and passing away in 1650, Cardoso's life spanned an era marked by significant religious, social, and artistic ferment. A product of the esteemed Santa Cruz Monastery in Coimbra, where he was likely a chorister and received his musical education, Cardoso later joined the Carmelite Order in Lisbon, a move that significantly influenced his compositional output.

Renowned for his deeply expressive and spiritual compositions, Manuel Cardoso's work is closely associated with the Counter-Reformation ideals, embodying both the solemnity and the introspective piety demanded by the era's ecclesiastical authorities. Despite the clear influences of other polyphonic masters like Tomás Luis de Victoria, Cardoso's music retains a unique lyrical quality and emotional depth, particularly evidenced in his sacramental and liturgical works. His legacy is most palpably preserved through his masses and motets, which include the acclaimed "Cardoso: Requiem, Lamentations, Magnificat & Motets" and the comprehensive collection "Manuel Cardoso: Complete Masses, Vol. 1." These recordings, alongside others like "Deus Não Falha" and "Amarae morti: Lamentations & Motets from Renaissance Europe," not only highlight Cardoso's mastery over polyphonic composition but also offer a window into the devotional and artistic soul of 17th-century Portugal. Through these works, Manuel Cardoso remains a significant beacon of Portuguese Renaissance music, demonstrating the enduring power and beauty of sacred choral music.

Genres

Portuguese Early Music

Latest Release

Voces angelicae. Portuguese Renaissance Church Music

Pro Cantione Antiqua•

Duarte Lobo•

Estêvão Lopes Morago•

Estêvão de Brito•

Filipe de Magalhães•

Manuel Cardoso

Album - 29 Tracks - Released March 15, 2024