Release Date: 12 January 1999
Label: Naxos - Nxc / Naxos Classics
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 730099498524
Genres: Classical
Composer/Series: SOR
Description
Fernando Sor (1778-1839)Complete Works forGuitar, Opp. 46-48, 50 & 51In the first years ofthe nineteenth century, Paris became the centre of the guitar world; most ofthe worlds best guitarists settled there, drawn by the city's venues, itspublishers, its wealthy and enthusiastic dilettantes, as well as itsfashionable reputation. Fernando Sor (1778-1839) settled there in about 1827 atthe end of along European odyssey which had begun a decade earlier in hisnative Spain, followed by post-Napoleonic exile to Paris, an extended stay inLondon, and a celebrated visit to Russia. Back in Paris, Sor's principalcompetition included several native Frenchmen and a number of Italians,including the Neapolitan Ferdinando Carulli (1770-1841), who had helped firethe French guitaromanie as earlyas 1808 and who still had a considerablefollowing; the Piedmontese Francesco Molino (1768-1874), also accomplished onthe violin and with court connections, and the Florentine Matteo Carcassi(1792-1853), later the author of perhaps the most famous guitar method everwritten. The rivalry among these professionals is only slightly exaggerated bya humorous illustration in Charles de Marescot's little book, LaGuitaromanie, depicting a pitched battle between 'Carulistes' and'Molinistes' clubbing each other with their guitars.Op. 46: Souvenird'Amitie: Fantaisie (c. 1831) was one of several works which Sor composedfor or dedicated to other guitarists. The dedicatee in this case, Jules Regondi(1822-1872), was only about nine years old when Sor wrote this work in homageto his prodigious abilities. Born in Geneva, Regondi began performing when hewas five, and toured Europe in the company of his father; he probably met Sorin Paris in about 1830. Shortly after this meeting the young performer moved toLondon where he was abandoned and left destitute by his father. He managed tosurvive and establish a successful career as composer and virtuoso of both theguitar and concertina. Sor's work consists of three continuous movements -Andante moderato, Andantino, Allegretto - all in the amiable (forguitarists) key of A. In spite of the youth of the dedicatee this is ademanding work, and unusual because of the brief appearance of a tremolo, atechnique Sor rarely employed but for which Regondi became well-known.Sor probably intendedthe Six Petites Pi?¿ces, Op. 47 (c.1832) to be performed in pairs, asevidenced by the tempi and key signatures: Andante in D minor and Allegrettoin D major, an Andante in E major and Allegretto in E minor,and a Cantabile and Valse in A major. One of his pupils, MileCrabouillet, was the dedicatee of both Op. 47 and Op. 50: Le Calme: Caprice (c.1832).The latter piece, a lyrical single movement (Andante) in E major, isanother demanding work; if Mile Crabouillet could play it well, she must havebeen a prized disciple. Several of Sor's works of about 1832 were musical jokesor parodies written in response to persistent criticism that his music was toodifficult for the amateurs.
Tracklisting
Dariia Lytvishko
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra; Marin Alsop
Alice Di Piazza; Basel Sinfonietta; NDR Bigband; Titus Engel
Anna Alas i Jove; Miquel Villalba
David Childs; Black Dyke Band; Nicholas Childs
Zenz:Cathariou:Iacovidou
Zahir Ensemble
Yun-Yi Qin
Mcfadden
Mcfadden
Mcfadden
Mcfadden
Mcfadden
