Fernando Sor: Souvenir de Russie op. 63, Fantaisie op. 54 bis, Divertissement op. 62, L'Encourangement op. 34, Divertissement op. 38, Six Valses op. 44 bis - Arte en Parte / Nuova Era Audio CD 2003 / NE 7381

UPC 8010984173814

Fernando Sor (baptised 14 February 1778 – 10 July 1839) was a Spanish classical guitarist and composer of the late Classical era and early Romantic era. Best known for writing solo classical guitar music, he also composed an opera (at the age of 19), three symphonies, guitar duos, piano music, songs, a Mass, and at least two successful ballets: Cinderella, which received over one hundred performances, and Hercule et Omphale.

Partly because Sor was himself such a classical guitar virtuoso—contemporaries considered him to be the best in the world—he made a point of writing didactic music for players of that instrument of all levels. His Twelve Studies Op. 6, the Twelve Studies Op. 29, the (24) Progressive Lessons Op. 31, and the (24) Very Easy Exercises Op. 35 have been widely played for two hundred years and are regularly reprinted. On the other hand, some of Sor's music, not least his popular Introduction and Variations on Mozart's "Das klinget so herrlich" Op. 9, is fiendishly difficult.

Unlike modern classical guitar players, Sor used the smaller, slimmer "Romantic" guitars predating today's familiar Torres instrument. He used the ring finger of his plucking hand "rarely" and "only for harmony (never for melody)." He eschewed the use of nails on that hand.

Tracklist:

1.  Souvenir de Russie op. 63    14:09

2.  Fantaisie op. 54 bis    10:41

3.  Divertissement op. 62   10:50

4.  L'Encourgement op. 34   13:32

5.  Divertissement op. 38   7:45

6.  Six Valses op. 44 bis   11:47