Fernando Sor was a guitarist and composer who was born in Spain and lived 1778-1839. He was a contemporary of Beethoven and is often referred to as Beethoven's "Guitar ". He wrote many different works for the guitar including his famous Sor Method for the guitar and the 20 studies for classical guitar. Both works are still in use today.

Your Life

Sor grew up in tumultuous time is Spain. It was during the time that Napoleon and the French were trying to get to Spain and Sor spent time in military service. For a period of time, the French occupied Spain, but eventually they were expelled. After the war was over and France had been ejected from Spain Sor moved to Paris (around the age of 35) and he never returned to his homeland. He also spent some time living in Russia and London, but he eventually returned to Paris, where he would live the rest of his years. It was during this time in Paris, which got a significant amount of fame as a composer, a teacher and an interpreter, and he spent many years touring the great cities of Europe.

As Performer

In Spain during his years of youth and adulthood he achieved an amount of fame, which began with a presentation of his opera "Telemachus on the Island of Calypso" and this lead to a short-term sponsorship by the Duchess of Alba. While living in Europe, reached the height of his fame as a composer and performer and he has given concerts throughout Europe, including Paris, Russia, and London.

As a Composer

As a composer of music that he had a remarkable variety variety of parts ranging from instruction in nature to songs, duets, vocal music for voice and guitar, and even an opera. His style of music ranged from sheer classical to very Spanish sound.

Some of his most famous works

Much of his work is no longer played and some of it is lost, but he has some pieces that have stood the test of time and are still regularly performed to this day. Or course, is his method of guitar and his twenty studies, and when these are works of instruction are also composed of many parts and arrangements that stand alone on its own right as parts of legitimate. A Couple of his most famous individual pieces include his Opus 35 number 22 in B minor, which is often called "The Moonlight Etude "and his Opus 9 variations on a theme of Mozart (The Magic Flute). Both pieces are very beautiful and such perennial favorites of modern guitarists.

Recordings and much more

Many guitarists have incorporated contemporary compositions Sor in his repertoire, and you can easily find work. There are many CD's of current artists that are dedicated exclusively to the work of Sor. There is also a book about him (Fernando Sor: Composer and guitarist). It is written by Brian Jeffery and it is a comprehensive and detailed account of the life of Sor. The first edition was published in 1977 and a second edition published in 1994.

Fernando Sor was a remarkable man multi-talent who was a talented artist, a teacher and a composer who wrote in many forms and genres music. His music is still alive today, through their methods for guitar, he is still teaching students over 150 years later.

About the Author:

You can hear pieces composed by Sor, watch videos of performances and download sheet music composed by Sor on my website: The Classical Guitarist

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Profiles in Classical Guitar: Fernando Sor

Recuerdos de la Alhambra by Eric Henderson Classical Guitar

Essential Guitar: 33 Guitar Masterpieces $6.87 This collection features performances of popular works for the guitar by Julian Bream, Alexandre Lagoya, Paco Pena, Andres Segovia, John Williams, and Pepe Romero.No Track Information AvailableMedia Type: CDArtist: ESSENTIAL GUITAR: 34 GTR MASTERPIECESTitle: ESSENTIAL GUITAR: 34 GTR MASTERPIECESStreet Release Date: 08/13/2002…

Reflections of Spain: Spanish Favorites for Guitar $12.86 David Russell was born in Glasgow, Scotland, but his family moved to Spain while he was still a young boy so he could study music in the birthplace of classical guitar. On Reflections of Spain, Russell plays the music of his childhood home with all the joy you would expect from someone revisiting a beloved place. Russell’s formidable technique is powered by a keen intelligence and tempered by an e…

Guitar Adagios $9.31 No Description AvailableNo Track Information AvailableMedia Type: CDArtist: GUITAR ADAGIOSTitle: GUITAR ADAGIOSStreet Release Date: 07/13/2004…

Guitarra! A Musical Journey Through Spain $16.40 A series of programs that focus on the history of the classical guitar in Spain. Includes selections from composers of all eras….