Luis de Narváez

Highly regarded during his lifetime, Narváez is known today for Los seys libros del Delphín, a collection of polyphonic music for the vihuela which includes the earliest known variation sets.

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.

[1] It was during this period that the composer published Los seys libros del delphín (Valladolid, 1538), a large collection of music.

A short text on notation follows (Narváez uses a slightly modified version of Italian lute tablature), then the table of contents and an errata sheet.

Narváez's models include both sacred (volume 4 only) and secular melodies, and the music stands out by virtue of a very wide palette of techniques.

Apart from melodic variations, there are also two sets on ostinato harmonies: Guardame las vacas and Conde claros, both in volume six.

Francisco de los Cobos, Narváez's most important patron, painted by Jan Gossaert in c. 1530
A 16th-century painting of Valladolid , where Narváez lived and worked for more than two decades
Title page and a music excerpt from Los seys libros del delphín