Mexican composer, born in Spain. Served as chapel master at Puebla, Mexico from 1629 until his death. Born in Málaga in 1590, Padilla emigrated to Mexico in 1622, where he served the community of Pueblo from that year to the year of his death, 1664. At the age of 23 he was appointed maestro of the Cathedral of Jerez; three years later, of Cádiz Cathedral. By October of 1622 he was already at Puebla Cathedral as singer and co-maestro to the aging Gaspar Fernándes; seven years later he was named full maestro. Much of his sacred music in Latin is for double-choir, and favors two equal voice-dispositions: SATB-SATB. In this style he writes rather conservatively, but with the flair for pitched battle characteristic of the genre. He was trained and influenced by Spanish attitude; thus his sacred polyphony is basically in the prima prattica except for some Baroque chromaticism, a preference for double choirs, incredibly vital rhythms, and bass lines with strong instrumental characteristics. A consummate master of polyphonic techniques, he employed all devices of counterpoint with skill and grace.