Luigi Boccherini: Symphony in C Major, Op.21 No.3, G.523

Luigi Boccherini

( 19 February 1743 – 28 May 1805)

was an Italian, later Spanish, composer and cellist of the Classical era whose music retained a courtly and galante style even while he matured somewhat apart from the major European musical centers.

Symphony in C Major, Op.21 No.3, G.523

1. Grave - Allegro E Con Imperio – 0:00
2. Grave – 11:18
3. Allegro – 17:39

 

Here is Boccherini's last symphony, G523 in C major. This was published in 1798 and prominently features the national instrument of Spain, the guitar. The genesis of the symphony can be traced back to a transcription of the Quintet, op.10 no.4, which dates from 1771. The use of the guitar is a novel and highly inventive one, and in the Allegro which follows the opening Grave, it is given a cadenza all to itself. In the slow movement, full of novel and beautiful instrumental textures, the guitar is again to the fore and the symphony is rounded-off with a lively closing Allegro.” (by Warner Classics)