Fray (=Brother) José de Larrañaga (1728-1806) was a Franciscan monk, organist, and music director in the monastery and place of pilgrimage located in the Province of Arantzazu, Spain. He also died there. As a composer, he contributed considerably to the music-cultural sector of the 18th century in the Basque region.
Larrañaga was born in Azcoitia, Spain, and entered the Franciscan Order during his youth.
Although church music in the spiritual center of Arantzazu was always based on traditional Spanish precedents (Morales, Guerrero, Vittoria), Larrañaga's compositions were predominately influenced by the late-Baroque Italian style (D. Scarlatti, Giordani).
