Napoleon Coste

French Guitar Master

"Napol�on Coste was first taught the guitar
by his mother..."

Although he was born in the provinces, he rose to be the greatest guitarist/composer France ever produced.

He was also feted and lauded by Parisian aristocratic society becoming the most celebrated French guitar composer that city had ever seen.

Starting guitar at an early age, he was first taught by his mother. By the time he was in his teens he had become both a virtuoso player and an excellent composer. Later on, when he moved to Paris he took up lessons with the great Fernando Sor himself.

Indeed, he moved in an illustrious circle of friends that included Aguado, Carulli and Carcassi. He played for the "creme de la creme of society" and was engaged to teach them as well...quite a lucrative arrangement!

Being "gainfully employed" allowed Coste to publish many of his own works later in life. But before this he had spent ten years learning harmony and counterpoint, which greatly enhanced his compositional powers.

Sidebar - Did You Know?In an international music competition he gained second prize behind the famed J.K. Mertz. This "kick-started" his composing career which blossomed in the ensuing years.

To get some excellent music by Coste click here...

Due to an unfortunate accident, Coste was deprived of the ability to ever play in public again. He broke his arm in a fall, which rendered his right hand virtually useless. Perhaps, in an ironic way, it may have been fortunate that he fell. Incapacitated, he was able to devote more time to composition.

Here's a video I recorded and put on YouTube.com of his Barcarolle...

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He composed over forty works for guitar both for the six and seven string instruments. Another achievement was to revive interest in the Baroque guitar and its music and to transcribe 17th century music to modern notational methods.

Coste's music is full of charm and adds greatly to the repertoire.

Learning about Napoleon is cool but...Don't forget to get your free monthly music here... Great Guitar Tips & Free Music

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