Classical Guitar

Fernando Sor

Classical Yet Romantic Master

"Fernando Sor - One of the great figures in the history of the classical guitar..."

He was in no small way responsible for the resurgence of the guitar in the 18th century, helping it to eclipse the harp as the pre-eminent salon instrument of the day. Born in Barcelona in 1778, Fernando was by definition a classical composer, though he was heavily "colored" by Romanticism. But he was, by all accounts, a talented composer who wrote operas, ballets, symphonies, string quartets, songs for voice and guitar accompaniment and more. He is probably the most famous classical guitar composer on the guitar time line.

While you're here you can get the...

Free Content-Packed Music Notation Primer Ebook that Reveals the Foundations of Quickly Reading Music Notation...

Just use the form below to gain access now...





Bonus: There's also other music PDF's available too so don't wait - GET ACCESS NOW!

Indeed, his first work was an opera performed when he was only nineteen. But he is best known for his method of guitar and theory of harmony, adapted for guitar. Sors even studied violin, cello and piano and was taught composition by Anselmo Viola, who was a major 18th century composer in the Monserrat monastery where he first attended Choir School. Later on, he attended military school and was said to be quite a capable soldier, rising to the rank of captain. He kept composing throughout his military enlistment (even composing patriotic songs to motivate his comrades against the French Napoleonic army, who had invaded them).

When the French defeated the Spaniards he was influenced by their ideals of liberty and egalitarianism. He even worked for them in a clerical capacity for some time. This caused the ire of his countrymen. Indeed, he was seen as a traitor by some and found it necessary to withdraw to France with Napoleon's army when they were finally defeated in 1813.

Sors led a somewhat nomadic life after this point but never returned to his homeland. As well as France he went to England, Prussia and even Russia.

Sidebar - Did You Know?

Beethoven is supposed to have stolen the theme for the "Moonlight Sonata" from Sors. Also, whilst in Russia, he wrote the funeral march for Alexander the 1st.

***

Check out this great little video on YouTube of Julian Bream playing Sor's Study in B minor...

Whilst he was in London he started writing his more serious works for guitar. Fernando also continued to play guitar and when he returned to Paris in 1826 he was regarded as the "best guitarist in the world." We know now that he was perhaps the greatest composer for classical guitar of all time. This is despite the fact that when he died in 1839 (of cancer of the tongue) he was all but forgotten and near penniless. A fate unbefitting such a fine composer and player who has enriched the repertoire of the guitar greatly.

You can buy some Fernando Sor sheet music here...

Join the Great Guitar Tips Ezine to get montlhy PDF's in notation and Tab...

And here's another similar page you might be interested in...Tansman



Classical Guitar Sheet Music

Dvd sheet music, songbooks, and music books at Sheet Music Plus

Sheet Music Plus Homepage










Return to Classical Guitar homepage

Still Haven't Found What You're Looking For?

If you need more basic training before you can make us of the free guitar lesson page go here... or, simply enter whatever term you're searching for e.g. if you're searching for all pages that mention the word "segovia" just type in that term and away you go!

You can even search the Web. Just enter "classical guitar" followed by your search word(s). I hope you find me again!

Ready? 1-2-3... Search!

Google
Web www.learnclassicalguitar.com

 

Translate this site




Join Us On...

Subscribe to me on YouTube









Guitar Notes Master

LCG Navigation

Home Site Updates Ezine Buy/Sell Guitar

Lessons

Free Guitar Lessons Mini Guitar Lessons Beginner Lessons Monthly Videos

Practical & Theory

Guitar Nail Shape Using A Metronome Stringing A Guitar Guitar Tuning Learn Fret Board Guitar Tab Music Notation Theory Worksheets

Related Products

Books & DVD's Guitar Store Guitar Pictures Guitar Magazine Musician's Friend Best Sheet Music Music Pad Pro Notation Software Guitar Auction Classical Guitar Music

History

Guitar History Guitar Time Line

Your Responses

Your Guitar Questions Your Guitar Story Favorite Players

Links

Guitar Links Link Exchange Contact

Search

Site Map Site Search

Other

About Author Make A Donation How I Built This Site

Copyright 2001-2011.www.learnclassicalguitar.com All rights reserved.