Classical guitar music composed by four of the greatest guitarists of the early nineteenth century. All selections performed on a guitar replicated after an instrument from the time period.

24 MP3 Songs in this album (62:50) !
Related styles: Classical: Romantic Era, Classical: Classical era, Featuring Guitar

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:...a valuable resource for guitar lovers..." Daniel Bolshoy


The Early Romantic Guitar
(2010, Titania)
This recording features the music of Ferdinando Carulli, Francois de Fossa, Mauro Giuliani and Fernando Sor. All selections are played on an instrument built by luthier Marcus Dominelli, based on measurements from a 19th century guitar built by famed French luthier Rene Lacote, c.1830. The recording was recorded, mixed and edited by Ralph Maier in the Joyce and Quentin Doolittle Recital Hall, University of Calgary.

Tracks;


Francois de Fossa, (1775 - 1849)
De Fossa was born into the family of a celebrated scholar and dedicated most of his adult life to a military career with the French and Spanish armies. Little is known of his academic and musical education, but there is evidence that his compositions were well received in the first decade of the nineteenth century, although circumstances denied him the opportunity to publish until later in his career. He took pride in composing music that satisfied his own taste for modern compositions, rather than composing for profit.

1) Op. 12, Cinquième Fantasie sur l'air des Folies d'Espagne

The famed âFolies dâEspagneâ receives yet another set of variations, this time from the skilled pen of Francois de Fossa. The Introduction and Theme are grand and lyrical, and the following 6 variations balance humor, sweet melody and virtuosity. Probably composed c. 1825, the piece exhibits De Fossaâs desire to compose in the âmodernâ style. âThe present work of de Fossaâs gives us a fresh insight into the technical possibilities of the guitar, far ahead of its timeâ.

Mauro Giuliani, (1781 - 1829)
Probably the most famous of the Italian guitarists who migrated north seeking performing careers, Giuliani settled in Vienna in 1806, making himself at home in both the artistic and aristocratic communities.
2-13) Op. 33, 12 Ecossoises

These pieces were likely written shortly after Giulianiâs arrival in Vienna, and unlike his famous guitar concertos penned during the same period these stylized dances are short, light and oozing with the charm necessary to entertain Viennese salon audiences. Each dance is binary with 8 measures to a section, and the pieces alternate keys, âoddâ numbers in A major, âevensâ in A minor, suggesting that they were to be performed in pairs, or as one set of twelve. The final dance in A major is the only deviation from this key pattern, possibly supporting the performance of all twelve as a set.

14) Op. 102, Introduction et Variation
The theme for this entertaining opus is the aria âNume perdonami se in tale istanteâ from the opera âI baccanali di Romaâ, written in 1816 by the Italian composer Pietro Generali. Although the opera enjoyed success upon its release, it soon became obscured, along with its composer, in the shadow of Rossini, but not before catching the attention of Giuliani who worked it through this short but charming set of variations. The theme is preceded by a dramatic introduction, and followed by a flashy arpeggiated variation. The second variation is a slow, haunting melody, the kind that Giuliani was famous for performing, and the third variation acts as a finale, ending with an exciting virtuosic cadence. The piece covers a lot of ground in a relatively short space. Giuliani also arranged this piece for guitar and string quartet.


Ferdinando Carulli (1770 - 1841)
Carulli was born in Naples to an affluent family and his musical studies began at an early age on the cello. He discovered the guitar as a young adult and quickly dedicated his life to the development of the instrument as a vehicle for classical music, his reputation quickly spreading throughout Europe from his home in Italy. Carulli eventually settled in Paris where he enjoyed a career of performing, composing and teaching. His list of over 400 original compositions makes him one of the most prolific composers of the nineteenth century.

15-23) Op. 241, Selections

Carulliâs Opus 241, âThe Complete Method for the Guitarâ needs no introduction, as it has been a staple of guitar students and teachers for almost 200 years. Although the didactic pieces in this collection are rarely, if ever, heard on the concert stage, many of them are delightful gems that stand up well as entertaining miniatures. My selections include some of the famous as well as the not so famous of the method.

15) No. 14, Allegretto
16) No. 18, Andante
17) No. 21, Walze
18) No. 24 (no tempo indicated)
19) No. 34, Poco Allegretto
20) No. 37, Andantino
21) No. 39, Andantino Grazioso
22) No. 40, Andantino
23) No. 44, Walze

Fernando Sor (1778 - 1839)
Born in Barcelona, Sor was exposed to the guitar at an early age, and although the instrument would become his primary performance and compositional vehicle, his first musical success was an opera, an endeavour that attests to Sorâs diverse career. Known primarily for his numerous guitar works, Sor was also an accomplished singer and violinist, and his compositions include ballets, seguidillas, and vocal works. He concertized in the major cultural centers of Europe, from London to Moscow, popularizing the guitar with his frequent performances.

24) Op. 12, Quatrième Fantasie

Like many of Sorâs early works, opus 12 is written for the performer, with plenty of opportunities to display virtuosity. Framed between an introduction and finale, the theme and seven variations are short and exciting, moving the audience quickly through sharply contrasting musical ideas. The striking similarity to opus 3, âTheme, Variations and Minuetâ suggests that the piece has been rewritten and refined to showcase Sorâs talents.



Murray Visscher, Biographical information;

Murray Visscher has performed a wide variety of music for audiences in Canada and the United States. Although his formal education is primarily in Classical music, his diverse background has put him on stage with jazz performers such as Ian MacDougall and Juno award winner Hugh Fraser. Murray lives in Calgary Canada and currently performs and records with colleagues Ralph Maier and Brad Mahon as âThe Oberon Guitar Trioâ.