Legnani: Complete Music for Guitar Solo

Tampalini, Giulio

95205

Luigi Legnani (1790-1877) was an influential Italian guitarist, singer, and composer whose contributions significantly shaped the classical guitar repertoire. Born in Ferrara, Italy, Legnani initially gained recognition as a talented tenor, performing in operas across Europe. However, it was his exceptional skill as a guitarist and his innovative compositions that earned him his place in music history.

The guitar as a serious concert instrument was gaining popularity in the early 19th century. Legnani’s technical skills and expressive playing style quickly garnered acclaim. Legnani became renowned for his virtuosic performances, often compared to his contemporaries, such as Mauro Giuliani and Fernando Sor.

Throughout his career, Legnani composed over 250 works for the guitar, showing his deep understanding of the instrument’s capabilities. His compositions include études, caprices, and variations on popular opera melodies, particularly those by Rossini. Among his most notable works are the “36 Caprices, Op. 20,” a collection that remains a cornerstone of the classical guitar repertoire because of its demanding technical challenges and rich musicality.

Played with great technical command and deep musical understanding by Giulio Tampalini. Among his substantial discography for Brilliant Classics, the complete recordings of the guitar music by Matiegka (BC95084), Llobet (BC94335) and Tarrega (BC94336) have met with particular praise. ‘A quite outstanding Recuerdos de la Alhambra that would be hard to beat under any circumstances’ (MusicWeb International).

CD x 8

Brilliant Classics

10/31/24

5028421952055