Boccherini often used solo instruments, both wind and strings, in his orchestral writing, suggesting he worked with expert musicians in Madrid.
Composition History
Only two of Boccherini's 28 surviving symphonies predate his move to Madrid around 1769, with one of them having doubtful authenticity.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Boccherini's symphonic style, developed in Madrid, is described as original, unfailingly melodic, sophisticated, and intriguingly exotic, influenced by Spanish folk music.
Composition History
The numbering of Boccherini's works is chaotic due to his habit of assigning his own opus numbers and publishers often ignoring them; Gérard's catalogue ('G' numbers) helps to identify them accurately.
Compositional Technique
Boccherini acknowledged formal conventions in his symphonies but often departed from them at will, such as placing the Minuetto second in the Op 37 set, contrary to the usual third position.
Composer Biography
Luigi Boccherini, the composer, spent the last 35 years of his life in Spain, physically removed from major European musical centers like Paris and Vienna.
