Complete Encyclopaedia of Music/B/Boccherini, Luigi

Boccherini, Luigi, was born at Lucca, in 1740. He received his first lessons in music and on the violoncello from the Abbe Vannucci, then music master of the archbishopric. Boccherini, at an early age, showing a great disposition for music, his father, himself an ingenious musician, cultivated his son's talent with care, and at length sent him to Rome, where he soon acquired a high reputation for the originality and variety of his productions. A few years after this he returned to Lucca, where his sonatas were first performed in public. F. Manfredi, a pupil of Nardini, and also a native of Lucca, being there at the time of Boccherini's return from Rome, they executed together his sonatas for the violin and violoncello, (op. 7,) to the great delight of the audience. After this, the two professors became intimate, and quitted Italy together for Spain, where Don Louis, the infante, was collecting professors of the first talent. They were received at Madrid with particular distinction, and Boccherini at length determined to remain in Spain. Ile was well received by the king, who showed much partiality for him, and loaded him with honor and presents. The only professional obligation imposed on him was to produce, every year, nine pieces of his composition, for the use of the Royal Academy. Boccherini assented to these conditions, and faithfully kept them. He died at Madrid in 1806, aged sixty-six. It is said that Boccherini kept up a regular correspondence with Haydn, these two great musicians endeavoring to enlighten each other respecting their compositions. Carter has said of this composer, that "If God wished to address man, he might be supposed to do so by the music of Haydn; but if he wished to hear music himself, he would prefer that of Boccherini." Puppo, the violinist, well appreciated Boccherini's music, by calling him "the wife of Haydn." Dr. Burney says, "There is, perhaps, no instrumental music more ingenious, elegant, and pleasing than Boccherini's quintets ; in which invention, grace, modulation, and good taste conspire to render them, when well executed, a treat for the most refined hearers and critical judges of musical composition." Part of the "Stabat Mater" of Boccherini may be seen in the second volume of La Trobe's selection; it is a truly original and highly-finished production.