Boccherini's A Major Cello Sonata

Author: (Italian) Luigi Boccherini
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-04-01
Features: Boccherini was a renowned cellist, and this sonata titled "La Regina" is also the only one of his compositions with a title. On the one hand, this reflects the extraordinary position this sonata holds in Boccherini's own works—it is a dazzling piece, and was composed from the very beginning for a special audience. On the other hand, this sonata is very likely a musical document that records young Boccherini's employment under the service of the Queen of Venice, Maria Theresa. Although we currently lack completely convincing evidence to prove that Boccherini titled the piece "La Regina" specifically dedicated it to her, we can deduce that this queen was indeed Maria Theresa, and that Boccherini must have performed it for her in person. The current edition faithfully reproduces the musical essence of the original, although the basso continuo has been replaced with keyboard accompaniment. Only obvious errors in the solo and bass parts have been corrected. The fingerings and bowing markings in the solo part have been compiled by Julius Berg.