Luigi Boccherini

As a cellist and prolific composer of chamber music, Boccherini was the main Latin representative of the Classical style during the 18th century. Born into a family of musicians in Lucca in 1743, he established his reputation as a virtuoso cellist at a young age, travelling widely in Europe and eventually settling in Madrid. He entered the service of the King of Spain’s brother, Don Luis, as a composer and performer in 1770. Here he pioneered the string quintet, joining Don Luis’ existing quartet to create his characteristic scoring with two cellos: imaginatively exploited in his “Op. 30 No. 6” (1780) which conjures up the sounds of Madrid’s streets at night. He composed over 120 such quintets, about 100 quartets, 100 or so other chamber works and around 30 symphonies. His gift was essentially lyrical, and much of his music is charming rather than searching and dramatic. His poignant Stabat mater (1781) was inspired by Pergolesi’s famous setting. He died in Madrid in 1805.