| Composer: Luigi Boccherini | Cello with Piano accompaniment | Tempo: Moderate | Duration: 4 minutes |
| Key: A Major | Intermediate | elegant Classical | Year: 1771 |
Luigi Boccherini (1743–1805) was an Italian cellist and composer, best known for his contributions to chamber music. Born in Lucca, Tuscany, he studied in Rome before touring Europe as a performer. He eventually settled in Spain, where he served as a court composer and became associated with the Spanish aristocracy. By sitting in on string quartets with his cello, he created over a hundred string quintets.
Probably his most famous work comes from one of these. It’s the Minuet from String Quintet in E, Op. 11, No. 5. The movement has become rightly famous as a standalone piece. I present it here in a version for cello with relatively simple piano accompaniment.
Another well-known piece by Boccherini is his Passa Calle from La Musica Notturna di Madrid, which featured in the 2003 film Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.
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