Early 19th-Century Guitar Concertos: Context, Sources, Catalog

Abstract

The guitar experienced a period of renewal and growing interest in the early 19^th century, thus prompting virtuosos to try their hand at writing concertos—not only the famous Giuliani, Carulli, Molino, and Legnani, but also such lesser luminaries as Bonfanti, Malerbi, Barbi, and Marchetti. This essay deals only with the concertos from 1800 to 1850 and is integrated with data for the study of the repertoire. It starts by combing concert ads and reviews, then outlines an organological panorama of the French guitar and a survey of the orchestras between the 18^th and 19^th centuries, and ends up with a pithy description of some venues that hosted the premières. Part 2 focuses on the rich Puccetti family collection, now at the Bologna Conservatory Library. Besides works for guitar and different chamber outfits, it hosts two unissued concertos by Matteo Barbi and Filippo Marchetti with a large orchestra. A catalog follows, with musical incipits, of the concertos for which either printed or manuscript sources have been found.