A groundbreaking set of variations from the Spanish Renaissance, considered one of the earliest examples of theme-and-variations form in European classical music, originally written for vihuela.
Luys de Narvaez, a pioneering Spanish Renaissance composer, included "Diferencias sobre 'Guárdame las vacas'" in his 1538 collection "Los seys libros del delphin". This work is among the earliest examples of theme-and-variations in Western music, based on the popular Spanish song "Guárdame las vacas" (Guard the Cows for Me). Composed for the vihuela (a predecessor of the guitar), it showcases intricate polyphony and improvisatory flair typical of the era.
