Francisco Valls

Spanish Baroque Composer and Music Theorist

Francisco Valls (1665–1747) was a Spanish Baroque composer and music theorist. He is best known for his controversial "Missa Scala Aretina," which he composed in 1702. This piece caused a significant stir due to Valls' use of a dissonant chord that challenged the established rules of counterpoint at the time. Valls served as the maestro de capilla at Barcelona Cathedral, where he was an influential figure in the Spanish music scene. His works include a variety of sacred music compositions such as masses, motets, and psalms. While not much is widely known about his secular works, his contributions to religious music during the Baroque period have been recognized for their complexity and innovation. The albums "Tonos Divinos Espanoles," "Misa Scala Aretina," and "In Excelsis Deo - Au Temps De La Guerre De Succession D'Espagne 1701-1714" are modern recordings that feature his compositions, helping to bring his music to contemporary audiences and showcasing his role in the development of Spanish Baroque music.