Luigi Boccherini

Composer of Fine Classical Guitar Works

"Luigi Boccherini - Classical era composer and
cellist from Italy..."

Although he was ostensibly a cellist, he made his mark on the world of classical guitar too.

Born in Lucca, Italy in the year 1743, it wasn't long before the young Boccherini soon demonstrated his prowess for music. Indeed, his compositional skills were of the highest order and it was said that he may have been the finest cellist of all time.

After developing his extraordinary talents in his formative years Luigi Boccherini went to Vienna as a young man, before moving to Paris and then Spain.

He was in the employ of many famous patrons, namely; the "Infante Don Luis, the younger brother of King Charles III. He eventually fell out with his rich patron after quarrelling about a passage of music he had written and was summarily dismissed.

He enjoyed the patronage of other famous characters throughout his life including Lucien Bonaparte, and even King Friedrich Wilhelm II of Prussia.

Luigi Boccherini has left us many very fine guitar quintets and quartets but one of the most enduring pieces is the Concerto for Guitar and orchestra in E Major.

Luigi Boccherini Sidebar - Did You Know?
His blood line continues uninterrupted to this day.

You can see some of fine examples of the work of Luigi Boccherini here...

Boccherini was known for his stylized works which were... "characterized by the typical Rococo charm, lightness, and optimism, and exhibiting much melodic and rhythmic invention, coupled with frequent influences from the guitar tradition of his adopted country, Spain."

He was heavily influenced by Joseph Haydn but some say that he exerted more an influence on Haydn than the other way around, especially in terms of the use of the cello in orchestral and chamber works.

Boccherini's output in these genres was prolific. In fact he wrote over 100 string quintets alone but also string trios, sonatas and of course the guitar quintets.

Check out this great little video on YouTube of the Bilkent Guitar Trio playing his Introduction and Fandango (Note: Press "play" button then pause it so it loads properly. Then press "play" again when fully loaded. It should take several minutes to load)...

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Luigi Boccherini remained in Spain from 1768 until his death but his fame has spread both over time and space. He has taken his rightful place amongst the upper echelon of musicians in the western tradition which and his music has included some very fine works for the guitar - much to our gratitude!

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