Music, propaganda and religious reform in 16th and 17th centuries: canticles for “gente del vulgo” (1520-1620)

Abstract

 Christianity in almost all of its many varied manifestations throughout its long history has employed music in one form or another. One possible use for music was for the purposes of proselytizing and evangelization, most particularly during moments of internal tension such as the Reformation and the Counterreformation. Here we study a number of Spanish examples of monody in vernacular texts, as used by a variety of reformists, all of whom were faithful to Roman Catholicism. These examples reveal a range of means and ends that runs the gamut from catechesis and training in literacy to enormous processions or the fostering of piety and devotion.