Boccherini: String Quintets

The Italian musical conquest of Spain in the last half of the 18th century is one of the more interesting developments of European musical history. A number of Italy's outstanding musicians, including the famed Domenico Scarlatti, traveled to Madrid, and eventually became the dominant force in the musical world at the Spanish capital. The influence of these cultural emissaries was to be felt there for over a hundred years, as the character of musical composition became less Spanish and increasingly Italian in nature.

Born in Lucca in 1743, Luigi Boccherini became a virtuoso of the violoncello at an early age. He gave concerts throughout Italy and France, and it was after one of his extended tours that he was invited to Madrid by the Infante Don Luis de Borbon, brother of King Carlos III of Spain. Here he was to remain, except for a short term in the service of Friedrich Wilhelm II of Prussia, until his death in 1805. His career in Madrid was not entirely successful, as he lacked the grace and finesse necessary to remain in a position of favor with his patrons. His unwillingness to conform to the standards of court protocol led to his eventual disgrace, and he was forced to seek refuge under the patronage of Lucien Buonaparte, Ambassador to the Spanish Court from France.   In return for the Ambassador's kindness, he was required to compose at least six quintets a year. It was during this period that a large number of his nearly one hundred quintets was produced.

Boccherini possessed the finest technique among the 'cellists of his day, and his writing for the 'cello reflects his intimate knowledge and command of the instrument. The bass parts of his quintets and quartets display rich flowing melodies and intricate harmonies unknown in the works of his contemporaries. For the first time in musical history, the violoncello is given not only an accompaniment role but a solo role as well. The melodic line in his chamber works is alternately placed with the violin, viola, and the 'cello, making for a variety of color lacking until then. His writing for strings is at once bold, masterly, and elegant.