Sebastian Aguilera de Heredia

Sebastian Aguilera de Heredia (August 1561 – 16 December 1627) was a Spanish monk, musician and composer of the Renaissance period. Life Aguilera was the first organist at the cathedral in Huesca from 1585 to 1603. During this time, he assisted in the construction of a new organ. In 1603, Aguilera moved to a more prestigious position as maestro de música at Cathedral of the Savior of Zaragoza in Zaragoza. He remained there until his death in 1627. He published a collection of works in 1618, and eighteen of his keyboard works survive. Aguilera is considered the first major figure of the Aragonese School of music centered on Zaragoza. Music and Influence Aguilera composed both organ and vocal music. His work was written specifically for the church. While Aguilera’s organ works do follow Spanish traditions, they also introduce new innovations. He created different types of tientos, including pieces that explored heavy dissonance, slow tempos, and unusual harmonies. He referred to this type of music as falsas. Aguilera’s monothematic tientos use various contrapuntal and rhythmic techniques in order to develop a single theme. One of the most regarded techniques used in Aguilera’s organ