Giovanni Battista Granata

A guitar pupil of Corbetta (with whom he quarreled and publicly accused of plagiarism) who was the a prolific guitar composer of the 17th century. His techniques, methods and composition evolved into a unique school followed by the noted guitarists Bartolotti and Pellegrini. The first two books of his compositions were for `battute' or strummed pieces. The style is displaced in later works with plucked compositions. During his productive years of composition Granata experimented with the guitar as an ensemble piece including the guitar with basso continuo, guitar, violin and basso continuo and a composition in which two violins, basso continuo and guitar were included. Granata succeeded in bringing about the dominance of the plucked style and extended the range of the guitar, up to and including 16 frets. ~ Keith Johnson