Luis de Narváez

Luis de Narváez (fl. Approx: 1490 - 1550) was a Spanish composer and vihuelist. Highly regarded and infleuntial his works are still performed to this day including his very famous “Guárdame Las Vacas” which is popular with classical guitarists. Narváez is also known for Los seys libros del Delphín, a collection of polyphonic music for the vihuela which includes the earliest known variation sets and other works. Life The exact date or even year of Narváez’s birth is unknown. He was born in Granada and the earliest surviving references to him indicate that as early as 1526 he was a member of the household of Francisco de los Cobos y Molina, a well-known and very successful patron of the arts who was the Secretary of State and commentator for the kingdom of Castile under Charles V. Narváez lived in Valladolid with his patron until the latter’s death in 1547, although he was working for the Duke of Medina Sidonia between 1539 and 1540. It was during this period that the composer published Los seys libros del delphín (Valladolid, 1538), a large collection of music. By 1548 Narváez was employed as musician of the royal chapel, where he also taught music to choristers. His colleagues ther