VEGANGELICA

Luigi Boccherini - Italian man (1743 - 1805) who sounds passionate and full of fire, based on his music I've heard and this story from his life:



Right now I'm listening to one of his pieces that I enjoy, and it makes me curious to hear more of his works:

Luigi Boccherini, Symphony No. 6, "La casa del diavolo" ("House of the Devil"), Movement 3



And here is a painting of Luigi Boccherini, playing his cello, Circa 1764-1767, artist unknown. He looks happy and alert, doesn't he? And he played the...cello!!



Sadly, this is how his life ends: "Boccherini fell on hard times following the deaths of his Spanish patron, two wives, and two daughters, and he died almost in poverty in Madrid in 1805."

__________________

Zaqarbal

My fellow townsman Boccherini!! Someday I will post a photo of me in front of the house where he lived, if you like. I love his music too. Last Christmas I took this picture of a bust of him at a small square (it is named Boccherini Square) next to the Royal Palace:




One of his best-known works is Night Music of the Streets of Madrid. You probably know the 5th movement because of this:



Note the irony: An actor from the antipodes playing that music in a film entitled "The Far Side of the World".

That's what was assumed... until recently. A few years ago, one of his direct descendants studied his testament and other documents, and he came to the conclusion that Boccherini had a quite decent economic level at the end of his life.

__________________

VEGANGELICA

Wow, Zaqarbal, I didn't realize that Boccherini, when living in Spain, lived in your city! That's exciting. Perhaps we should say that Boccherini lived in what would be *your* town.

Yes, I would like to see the photo of you in front of his house. I haven't heard much of his music yet, but what I've heard I enjoy. We are playing part of his devil song in the orchestra of which I'm a part, and I like playing it. I can't play it well, but I still enjoy it!

That's a great scene and I had no idea they were playing a song by Boccherini. I like it: festive and energetic, the song feels like it is leading somewhere. A great dance song! This makes me want to listen to the whole of "Night Music of the Streets of Madrid."

Yes, that detail about the actor *is* an irony. Cool world map and clever observation.

I'm happy to hear that! Thank you for telling me. We should make a Boccherini thread. I think he deserves it.

__________________

Zaqarbal

Well, I've always been jealous of Viennese and Milanese people when it comes to Classical music. So I guess that must have been a sudden sprout of "Madrilenian musical pride". Last week I was taking night photos at the historic district which inspired Boccherini's music. This is one of them:


And, of course, I thought of the famous quintet.


I agree. And he was inspired by the Madrilenian popular scenes he himself saw. Probably like these ones painted by Goya by that time:


Maybe that popular feature is inherent in this city. 200 years later, that vitality was brilliantly expressed through pop and rock. But that's another story.


I think so. Boccherini is a bridge between Classicism and Romanticism. He was able to compose a delicate and elegant minuet with a harmonious and serene melody.... ...or a vigorous and dynamic symphony:

__________________

VEGANGELICA

Thanks for sharing the photo of your city. I'm glad you are having a sudden sprout of "Madrilenian musical pride."

Hmm...Goya's paintings show what appears to be a much more exciting social scene than Madrid has in modern times, where the desolate street at night is streaked (artistically) only by the lights of cars!

That sounds like a very interesting story and one about which I know nothing (besides what your wikipedia link article says). It looks like the Madrilenian groove scene was a little like the '60s in the U.S. (from what I hear of it) what with the 'freedom of expression, transgression of the taboos, and use of recreational drugs.'

Or we could just turn THIS thread into a Boccherini thread, like we are doing! Siege and conquer!!

Zaqarbal, I had no idea that this beautiful, light and happy Minuet was by Boccherini! I think I shall now swoon with adoration for him. I delighted in playing that Minuet on the violin when I was a child, and now that I think of it, maybe that's why the name 'Boccherini' seemed familiar. Isn't that just the happiest little song, and with such nice variety yet also repetition in its short length?? If 'gay' were still used to mean 'happy,' I would say this minuet is gay.

The Symphony in C major is tranquil yet also energetic in parts, "vigorous and dynamic" just like you say, as Boccherini quickly jumps between the moods, with a few more pensive moods that I love thrown in. I am reminded of music by The Auteurs that reminds me of a sunny day when clouds pass over the sun briefly shadowing the landscape before the cloud passes. The more I hear of Boccherini's music, the more I like it!

Does Boccherini do any very brooding, serious music? So far most of his music I've heard seems quite light-hearted. (I'm now listening to Sinfonia in B Flat G. 497 - Mov. 1/3, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRHk9gRYNDg&NR=1 )

I love that Jean-Baptiste Cartier quote almost as much as I enjoy listening to Boccherini's music!!! Perhaps I am God.

__________________

JenWol

Hey, try Gunnar Madsen, I like him a lot, he is very modern and different... 'Anna' is a wonderful piece!

Svenski

Big fan of Andrew York -- Sunburst is ridiculously hard to play

NGPercussion

David R. Holsinger

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra

If not mentioned before, one Sergei Rachmaninov.



Read an exceptionally ****ty, 'biography' on him because I saw it was the only book in the library about him. Considering there were people like Lizst, Mozart, and Stravinsky who had entire shelves, and it looked like it would have taken me less than an hour to read through(like 20 minutes, 104 WHOLE PAGES) I thought I'd check it out. Got nothing out of it but scanty details on his life, and the name of this composition which is amazing.

__________________
Al Pacino = God

Rus

One of my favourite composers is Isaac Albéniz, I especially enjoy the transcription for guitar. Really beautifull and genius, with influences of flemenco. Worth a listen : )