Scholar from UCLA Unveils Latest Work Delving into the Astonishing Heights of Music
In the heart of colonial Mexico, a unique devotional and cultural influence took root—the belief in the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. This doctrine, emphasising Mary's sinlessness from the moment of her conception, profoundly impacted the musical lives of nuns in New Spain (colonial Mexico).
Cesar Favila, an assistant professor of Musicology at UCLA, has delved deep into this fascinating period in history with his first book, "Immaculate Sounds: The Musical Lives of Nuns in New Spain." Published by Oxford University Press, this groundbreaking work breaks new ground in its approach to recovering the lives of women who sang devotional music in Catholic churches.
In the context of convent life, the veneration of Mary under the title of the Immaculate Conception became a central devotional theme. The Immaculate Conception feast day (December 8) was typically a major religious celebration, often featuring elaborate masses and musical compositions dedicated to Mary’s purity and divine grace. Theological concepts such as Mary’s preservation from sin inspired the creation and performance of sacred music that reflected these spiritual ideals, aiming to honor her sanctity and express the nuns’ devotion.
Many convents in New Spain were hubs of musical education and composition. Nuns often composed and performed polyphonic music that celebrated Marian doctrines, including the Immaculate Conception. This belief reinforced the ideal of feminine holiness and purity that nuns aspired to emulate, thereby shaping the thematic content of their sacred music.
Favila's fascination with sacred music led him to pursue a career in music history. His intellectual grounding was in music history, specifically Gregorian chant and its role in Western music notation. This research helped him acclimate to college as a first-generation student, and his connection to music history further solidified his passion for the subject.
During his research, Favila conducted extensive work at the Motherhouse of the Conceptionist order in Toledo, Spain, and interacted with nuns there. He was greeted by the nuns with the phrase "Ava María purísima," which he recognised from his Catholic upbringing. Despite the strict convent rules, Favila found that making requests to the nuns was a big no-no.
Interestingly, the belief in the Immaculate Conception was not widespread and would not become official doctrine until much later, but the Spanish were obsessed with this doctrine. This obsession is evident in the nuns' constant surveillance and testing of their obedience, including a story where a nun, despite being told she would not be allowed to take communion on a particular day, had the Eucharistic wafer fly up from the alter and end up directly in her mouth.
The book is available for use open access due to a partnership between UCLA Library and Toward an Open Monograph Ecosystem (TOME). Favila, who grew up Catholic with grandparents who were deeply religious and taught catechism class, continues to play the organ whenever possible. His life and work serve as a testament to the enduring influence of the Immaculate Conception on the musical lives of nuns in New Spain.
Books related to education and self-development like Cesar Favila's "Immaculate Sounds" delve into personal growth and mindfulness, exploring the impact of the Immaculate Conception on the musical lives of nuns in New Spain. This groundbreaking work sheds light on online learning opportunities in the field of music history, as Favila effectively utilizes the power of online education for his research. The book's focus on the sanctity of the female experience and devotion to Mary also provides an entry to the world of entertainment, offering a unique and engaging perspective on the history of women's spiritual lives.
