The last years of the eighteenth century witnessed the emergence of the six-string guitar. In the following century, it became a fashionable instrument, and its popularity spread throughout Europe. It was the ideal instrument to accompany the human voice although it was equally capable of bringing more elaborate music to life. But to do so, it was necessary to expand a repertoire that at the turn of the century was rather scarce.
The task, a formidable one, was initiated and carried out by a group of guitarists and composers at the beginning of the century, among whom the Italian master Mauro Giuliani deservedly stands out.
Giuliani arrived in Vienna in 1806 and two years later was recognized as one of the most prominent guitarists in the Viennese musical sphere. An article published in a music magazine in May 1808, giving an overview of music in Vienna, listed Giuliani as one of the active professional musicians in the city, along with Beethoven, Hummel, and Czerny.
 |
| Mauro Giuliani (1781 - 1829) |
Aware of the need to put the guitar on an equal footing with classical music in general, the Italian master chose to work on classical "forms", the models cultivated by Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven.
Thus, along with the theme and variations, serenades and rondos, and a celebrated Concerto, he undertook in 1808 the major task of composing a Sonata for guitar, structured in three movements in the usual manner, his opus 15.
Sonata for guitar in C major, op 15
This is his only sonata in several movements (Gran Sonata Eroica, of 1821, is composed of a single movement of barely eight minutes). It was a risky bet, due to the well-known sonorous weakness of the instrument. But it was victorious. Unlike the great Italian theaters, the Viennese salons seemed to be specially made for the intimate enjoyment of an instrument of low sonority but beautiful timbre that was beginning its career in pursuit of its transformation into a symphonic instrument.
The work, skillful and ingenious, is today considered one of the finest examples in the genre, for guitar.
Movements:
00:00 Allegro spiritoso
05:36 Adagio, con grand espressione
09:59 Allegro vivace
The rendition is by the charming Belarusian artist Tatyana Ryzhkova, born in Minsk, in 1986.
