The Earliest Tubular Organs in Mexico

Abstract

This article deals with the logistic problems of transporting from Spain the earliest pipe organs to the wild geography of 16th century México and the assembly of these instruments. The typology of the monastic organs in Mexico and the type of Spanish Renaissance organ, as well as other keyboard instruments (major organs, realejos –portative organs–, monacordios –clavichords– and harpsichords are also reviewed). Missional workshops for instrument making, as well as minstrels, th Indian participation as builders and organists and wind instruments used in and out the Cathedral, are also under consideration. On the other hand, documents dealing with the description of organs, organists and organ builders in the old Cathedral of México, from 1530 until the first decades of the 17th century, when they moved to the new Cathedral, or the first great organist in América, don Manuel Rodríguez de Mesa and his interpretation of music by Cabezón, are different topics in this paper. Finally, the first half-register organ in America by Jerónimo de Aragón, the music by Correa de Arauxo, or the regulations for organist, singers and minstrels, complete the panorama of the present study.