Matteo Carcassi was an Italian guitarist, born in Florence on 8 April 1796. He was in the French army from 1811 to 1815 and then settled in Paris, where he lived for the rest of his life.
He published at least 77 opus numbers. His Méthode complète pour la Guitare, op. 59, first published in Paris in 1836, became very famous, and his Etudes op. 60 are played by every guitarist. He also wrote guitar accompaniments to many French songs of the period.
Carcassi died in Paris on 16 January 1853.
At its best the music of Carcassi shows a good gift for melody and is well constructed.
His obituary in Le Ménestrel of 23 January 1853 wrote about him as follows : “il avait le caractère le plus aimable, des moeurs exemplaires, une droiture de cœur et un jugement remarquables. Il laissera des regrets à tous ceux qui l’ont connu, car on ne pouvait le connaître sans l’aimer.” (‘He had a most amiable character, exemplary behaviour, and remarkable steadfast heart and judgement. He will be mourned by all those who knew him, for it was not possible to know him without liking him.’)
TITLES IN TECLA
25 Etudes for Guitar, op. 60
Six caprices op. 26
Carcassi life and music (with new biographical information July 2024)
