IBERIAN IMAGES
[9 Minutes]
Chorus & String Orchestra
Iberian Images was an emotional response to my visit to Llíria in December 2022. After Christian King Jaime I’s conquest of the region, the Iglesia de la Sangre church was constructed in 1238. Built upon the ruins of an old mosque, the church reflects the transition from the Romanesque to the Gothic period. Walking uphill on an ancient cobblestone path, one sees the bell tower, which beckons one to enter the carved heavy wooden doors of the church, revealing wide Gothic stone arches. These arches support wooden ceilings, with polychromatic Mudéjar images containing scenes of chivalry, medieval flora, fauna, and approximately twenty musical instruments. I had the unique experience of visiting the choir loft and climbing the steep, claustrophobic inner passageway to the belfry with the town’s Campanista. Overlooking Llíria with a 360-degree view from this unique vantage point, I began to understand and appreciate the historical and cultural importance of Llíria.
Please contact info@composers.com