Mateo Albéniz

Mateo Albéniz, with full name Mateo Antonio Pérez de Albéniz ( born November 21, 1755 in Logroño, † June 23, 1831 in San Sebastián), was a Spanish composer, organist, priest and theorist. There is no connection to the well-known composer Isaac Albéniz. His son Pedro Albéniz was also a composer and pianist.

He held the office three times as conductor, choirmaster and organist in major churches of northern Spain. The first time in 1790 in San Sebastian, then again from 1795 to 1800 in Logroño in the Cathedral of Santa María la Redonda, and from 1800 to 1829 in San Sebastián. After his retirement in 1829 he lived until his death on in San Sebastián.

Mateo Albéniz wrote mainly religious music, such as trade shows, Vespers and Christmas songs that were played in the early 19th century in many parts of northern Spain, as well as secular music. Almost all of his ecclesiastical compositions before 1813 but were destroyed by fire and looting of San Sebastián by British troops on the hunt for the French rearguard during the Napoleonic Wars.

Mateo Albéniz wrote mainly works for harpsichord and piano. His works are all strongly influenced by Haydn and Mozart, whom he adored them both. He has also written theoretical work, which is to " Methodist Guide", which was published in 1802 in San Sebastian, in which he explains how to teach singing and playing old and modern music.

His work, which to this day is the most significant, is the Sonata in D Major, which was published in 1925 by Joaquín Nin and was placed in a version very well known for guitar.