Fernando Sor (1778-1839)

Fernando Sor was a Spanish Classical Guitarist and arguably one of the greatest if not prolific composers of all time. I would guess that any classical guitar method is going to include at least one of his pieces. One of the very first classical pieces that I learned was Study 1 in C Major. To this day is is one of my go to pieces and one that people enjoy listening to. Fernando sore is almost as popular as he is controversial with music teachers and players alike.

His stance of the use of the ring finger (a) on the right hand (plucking hand). He used it sparingly. He also discouraged players from having long nails. This is something that I whole heartedly agree with. It grosses me out.

He was also known for using smaller body types similar to those of the modern day parlor guitar.

Sor was the son of a long line of soldiers and it was his and his parents intention for him to continue that legacy. Sor became distracted from the military life when his father introduced him to opera. His love for music blossomed and he began a life long study of music.

At an early age he was recognized for his abilities and Studied at the Barcelona Cathedral, but his Mother after his father died removed him from his studies thinking that it would distract him from his chosen career as a military man. He was pulled from the Santa Maria de Montserrat and was enrolled in military School for 4 years.

During the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte Sor served in the Spanish army and continued to play and write music. After the defeat of the Spanish army Sor accepted an administrative post with the French Government. The Spanish succeeded in repelling the French army and shortly after he fled to France to flee his fellow countryman’s wrath as they considered him a traitor. He never set foot in his country of birth again.

While in France he composed the majority of his works. There are over one hundred known to exist.

References:

• ^{Tecla Editions – https://tecla.com/fernando-sor/fernando-sor-biography/}
• ^{Fernando Sor, His Life, and His Music – http://www.classicalguitar.net/artists/sor/}

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