The musical cycle Cancionero de Juana la Loca (Songbook of Joanna the Mad) explores the centuries-old cultural, musical and political ties between Spain and the Netherlands under rulers such as Charles V and Philip II.

During Joanna of Castile's reign and that of her successors, the court maintained two court ensembles, made up of Spanish and Flemish composers, singers and instrumentalists, who cultivated their own repertoires, languages and styles. thereby creating a unique cultural dialogue. One rich example of this musical heritage is the Cancionero de Juana de Castilla, which was beautifully handwritten and illuminated in Bruges around 1511 and is now preserved in the Royal Library of Belgium in Brussels.

My new composition is a contemporary “Cancionero” that continues this tradition by weaving together pieces in different languages in a dialogical manner. Inspired by 16^th century works, it includes pieces from the Cancionero de Juana I de Castilla. The cycle, developed as a large palimpsest, alternates intertextual relationships with different composers of that period (such as Pierre de La Rue, Cabezón, and Josquin) as well as with poets. At the same time, it reflects the interaction between two cultures whose musicians performed together not only in royal courts such as Madrid or Brussels, but also at diplomatic events. The seven movements of the work combine contemporary music with structures and texts from that era — an ode to the Renaissance and its cross-border sound world.