Today we will tell you who Luigi Boccherini is. His biography and features of the creative path will be considered below. This man can rightly be considered a great composer and virtuoso cellist of Italy of the XVIII century. It was he who took an active part in the development of such a musical genre as a string quartet.
Boccherini was a representative of the music of Viennese classicism and Rococo. He can also be attributed to Haydn's disciples. The styles of these particular composers are partially reflected in his works. At one time, even laughed at Luigi, calling him the wife of Haydn, he communicated so closely with the creations of the Austrian creator. During his life, he made a huge contribution to world culture. From his pen came 30 symphonies, more than 90 string quartets (Haydn owns 83), 2 operas, 137 quintets for stringed instruments and several for piano, as well as a huge number of trios and sonatas.
The Musical Origin of Boccherini
Our hero was born in the winter of 1743. His native city was Lucca (Italy). The composer had musical roots. His father Leopoldo was a famous double bass player, a master of his craft. Most of his life he worked in a local orchestra. From early childhood, his father taught Luigi Boccherini to play the cello, since the double bass did not fit the little boy in size. A few years later, the boy was placed under the care of Abbot Domenico Bannucci, who was the head of the local gymnasium and an excellent cellist concurrently. So, at age 12, the boy began to perform solo in his province, and a little later went to work in the city’s orchestra.
Brothers and sisters were also creative personalities. His two sisters were professional dancers, brother Giovanni was also involved in dancing. By the way, he wrote several poetry books and a libretto for Salieri, and a little later for Haydn.
Confession
The fame came to Luigi Rodolfo Boccherini almost immediately. To continue his education, he went to Rome. There he was taken under his wing by the head of the music department of St. Peter's Basilica. To expand his knowledge, the young musician often attended concerts of Tartini, Giardini, Pugnani. This influenced the change in the style of his game and added a peculiar experience to his life.
A few years later, Boccherini returned home. After one of his performances, he and his father were invited to work in the orchestra of the Vienna Imperial Theater. It was here that he was able to get acquainted with the work of Joseph Haydn. His debut as a composer took place in Vienna, after which several more of his concerts took place.
Performing style
In the summer of 1764, Luigi Boccherini also began working in the chapel of the Lucca Republic. In parallel, he played in the orchestra, led by Giovanni Sammartini. During this period, he works on his performing style. Then the musician met with the young violinist Filippe Manfredi, who became his close friend, student and colleague. Manfredi could present his work at one of the public concerts organized by Boccherini.
The quartet activity of our hero in the 60s is closely connected with the work of virtuoso musicians: Nardini, Cambini and his friend Manfredi.
World Glory Boccherini
In 1766, the father of Luigi Boccherini died. After that, the composer did not want to stay in his native province. Having gathered all his comrades, he sets off for concerts in Northern Italy. The end point for them was Paris. The first appearance was observed in the salon of Baron von Baghe, who was one of the best in the capital. After this performance, musicians started talking all over Paris. Here was published the first collection of works by Boccherini and Manfredi.
Talented musicians were immediately noticed. Some time later, the Italian ambassador came for them with an invitation to Madrid to the court of Charles III. Infant Louis, brother of the king, was so impressed by the talent of the composer that he accepted him to work as a court cellist. During his stay in the royal chambers, Luigi wrote 6 symphonies, more than 20 quintets and quartets (including the famous 6 strings). Most of them were dedicated to his great fan Louis.
While the cellist lived in Madrid, he got married. His favorite woman was Clementine Pelicho. They had 5 children, whom he had occasion to raise alone when in 1785 his wife died. At the same time, the last days of life and his patron infante came. It was hard for the musician to survive, and even with the children. He decides to go to work at the court of Frederick II. The king adored classical music and supported the work of Boccherini. The composer writes compositions for the Prussian court.
Once again, Luigi decided to marry in 1787. But after some time he lost his second darling along with his three daughters. The great composer was on the verge of poverty. Creativity already brought almost no income, and for physical work there was not enough health, which by that time was already shaken. In 1805, our hero died of a disease that tormented him the last few years of his life.
Composer's legacy
Luigi Boccherini lived for 62 years. During this time, he managed to create more than 450 musical creations. And these are only those that are known. His collection includes the most diverse genres: symphonies, trios, quartets, quintets, oratorios, masses and cantatas. He had authority among composers at the time and influenced the formation of many musicians after him.