Complete Guitar Sonatas, Vol. 1

Description

Wenzel Thomas Matiegka, originally from Bohemia, was a contemporary of Ludwig van Beethoven and a renowned guitarist. His reputation was solidified after he settled in Vienna, where he was recognized in musical circles, notably by Franz Schubert. Matiegka's works reflect the influence of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Joseph Haydn, while exploring the virtuosic possibilities of the guitar. He combines lyrical serenity with refreshing humor and captivating technique. This first volume of a complete edition of the guitar sonatas by Wenzel Thomas Matiegka is available on two discs. Matiegka is a composer whose work is known and highly appreciated by some knowledgeable guitarists, but whose music has been overshadowed by the popularity of composers such as Fernando Sor and Mauro Giuliani. Matiegka is considered one of the greatest representatives of the Viennese school of guitar, then flourishing at the beginning of the 19th century, and was undoubtedly an influential figure in the fashionable guitar circles of his time. The greatest concert guitarists of the 20th century, such as Andrés Segovia, Julian Bream, and John Williams, seem to have been denied access to Matiegka's compositions, which explains the ongoing reassessment of his work. The pieces selected for this recording undoubtedly illustrate many of the unique and most interesting characteristics of guitar compositions from Matiegka's era, ranging from movements of great lyrical expressiveness to spectacular virtuosic fantasies.