Fernando Sor: The Beethoven of the Guitar
Spanish classical guitarist and composer renowned for his transformative contributions to guitar repertoire and technique during the Romantic era.
Born in Barcelona, Sor received early musical training at Montserrat Abbey. Initially pursuing a military career, he dedicated himself to music after Napoleon's invasion of Spain. His liberal political views forced him into exile in 1813, leading to an internationally influential career across Paris, London, and Moscow. Sor composed over 300 works, including influential guitar studies, sonatas, and variations, alongside ballets and operas. His pedagogical method (1830) remains foundational in guitar education.
- Sor's nickname 'Beethoven of the Guitar' originated from contemporaries awed by his compositional sophistication for the instrument.
- Political exile defined his life: After opposing French occupation and later Spanish monarchy restoration, he never returned to Spain, dying in Parisian poverty.
- Tragedy marked his personal life: His only child, daughter Julia, predeceased him in 1837, contributing to his decline during throat cancer battles.
- Despite guitar specialization, Sor achieved Parisian fame with ballets like 'Cendrillon' (1822), performed over 100 times at the Paris Opera.
