The five sonatas on this album are based on manuscript copies found in the important Fonds Noseda collection at the Music Conservatoire in Milan.
Historical Context
Luigi Boccherini was a key figure in the emergence of the 'modern cellist' in the second half of the 18th century, an era that became known as the cello's Golden Age.
Composer Biography
Luigi Boccherini, born in Lucca in 1743, began his career as a cellist at the young age of 13 in 1756.
Interpretation
The recording explores different continuo arrangements for the sonatas, including two cellos, fortepiano with wooden hammers, harpsichord and cello, and fortepiano with leather-covered hammers doubled by a cello.
Critical Reception
After his death, Luigi Boccherini's reputation in the 19th century largely survived due to a single minuet, a heavily edited cello concerto, and a few sonatas published with inauthentic performance instructions.
Performer Biography
Yves Gérard, the author of this booklet text, created the first catalogue of Luigi Boccherini's works in 1969, which uses the 'G' numbers to identify them.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Luigi Boccherini closely guarded the performance practices and secrets of his 'Sonate per violoncello et basso', making it difficult for later historians and performers to interpret them.
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