BOCCHERINI - Fandango Concerto (Mov. 1) by Het CONSORT

LUIGI BOCCHERINI (1743-1805) was born in Lucca, Italy and was a prolific composer. During his relatively short life he composed more than four hundred and fifty compositions. Most of them being instrumental works that can be divided in concerti and chamber music work like duos, trios, string quartets and quintets with other instruments. Often his music for string quartets is seen as most important in the progress of this genre since they first display equal importance for all the instruments involved.

Luigi Boccherini's most important years as a composer were those in the service of Don Luis, the brother of Charles III of Spain. It was during this time, the 1770-ties, that Boccherini composed his first quartets and that he became friends with the great painter Goya with whom he had a lifetime friendship. A certain fusion between Spanish and Italian music is unmistakable in listening to Boccherini's music. After the death of Don Luis in 1785 Boccherini was appointed the title of 'Kapelmeister' (music director) at the court of Frederick William II of Prussia. A profession Boccherini kept occupied till his deat.

Luigi boccherini's "Fandango" Quintet (No. 4 in D major - G. 448) is originally either for guitar and string quartet or for two violoncellos, viola and two violins (catalogued as Op. 50 No. 4). Good to know here is that Luigi Boccherini himself was an excellent violoncellist and that the 2nd version of this quintet good well have been intended for his (together with his musician friends) personal use. Interesting difference between the two 'Fandango' quintets is that in the version with the two celli the 2nd movement is not the same as in the guitar quintet. Here a lively 'Minuetto' is included; while in the guitar quintet version with a much more to the other movements related 'Allegro maestoso' is added.
Unfortunately the real chronological births of the 'Fandango' quintets and some of the other guitar quintets by the Maestro's hand are not completely clear. There are scholars however who think that the Spanish guitar is so closely related to the Spanish soul and folk music that the Fandango quintet simply must have been first written for guitar and strings. A nice but yet unproved thought of course ...
What is known with certainty is that Boccherini dedicated his Sinfonia Concertante in C Major, a composition for full orchestra with an obligate guitar part to a friend of his, the Marquis de Bénavent, a Spanish nobleman and an enthusiastic player of the guitar.
The "Fandango" Quintet, as it is often referred too, is one of more guitar quintets that could also have been composed with the Marquis in mind. In any case this composition is one of the most celebrated works of Luigi Boccherini. And probably known best in the flamboyant version for guitar and string quartet.

The complete work has four movements: a solemn and modest 1st movement named 'Pastorale'; a much more carefree and cheerful 'Allegro maestoso' 2nd part; the 'Grave assai', a short 3rd movement that - because of its great beauty and simplicity -- displays a feeling of anticipation of things to come. A mood that from the very start finds its fulfilling in the 'Fandango', the final and 4th movement.

Here the 'Pastorale' (1st mov.) of the "Fandango Concerto" is shown in the setting performed by the Dutch Mandolin Chamber Orchestra HET CONSORT with their conductor Alex Timmerman as the guitar soloist.
The two other movements, the 'Allegro maestoso' (II) and the 'Grave assai - Fandango' (3 & 4) played by the same orchestra and soloist, can also be viewed and listened to here at YouTube.

Thanks for video taping this concert (Autumn 1995) that was given by the Dutch Mandolin Orchestra Het CONSORT and Alex Timmerman, go to mr. Gerard Godlieb.

For more information about the Dutch Mandolin Chamber Orchestra Het CONSORT and their concerts, please visit their website:
http://www.mandolineorkest.nl/enwelkom.htm

Category:

Music

Tags:

• BOCCHERINI
• Fandango
• Concerto
• mandolin
• Orchestra
• Het
• CONSORT
• Alex
• Timmerman
• Mandolino
• Embergher

[dropman]

Viva ESPAÑA su Arte y Viva la Madre Italia !!!!

[charangohabsburg]

Beautiful performance an very informative comment. Thanks a lot!

Just one remark: Although said that it is not proved ("...who think that the Spanish guitar is so closely related to the Spanish soul and folk music that the Fandango quintet simply must have been first written for guitar and strings") I would say that this isn't even a hint which version was first: Boccherini was Italian ;-)

As many things in history, it is very probable that we will never know which version was written first...

[LJOUWERD]

@BarbaraPloyer333

Try Dimitry Bortniansky

[otacs2]

Good work of the dutch chambre orchestra! Goed gedaan!

[BarbaraPloyer333]

I am currently going through a Boccherini phase... it's rather awkward- I never actually thought Boccherini could be as addictive as Mozart.

[AltardeMuertos]

Thank you so much for this wonderful video. Great performance, and a very special and huge thank you for the info about Boccherini. I know for first hand experience that his music is never easy to perform yet is so rich and very satisfying both for the listener and the performer, in every way. Thanks again. Keep the great work!