12 pp., $8.95, Presser Order number 494-02872 (PWYS-15b)
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Until
the beginning of the 1980s, the figure of François de Fossa was mainly known by
his relationship with Dionisio Aguado, a relationship that included de Fossa’s
collaboration in producing the two Parisian editions of the Aguado Escuela, and
the complete translation of one of them into French. The situation changed
radically in 1981 with the publication by Editions Orphée of a monograph which
not only revealed very interesting and decisive factors in regard to the guitar
quintets of Luigi Boccherini, but also included an important biographical study
and a checklist of the known compositions of François de Fossa. Several works by
de Fossa were published in later years, among which were works for two guitars,
trios, quartets, an anthology of selected works for guitar solo published in
1990. De Fossa’s Première Fantaisie, his Op. 5, was part of that
anthology. The current edition of it was engraved anew, and completely edited
and fingered. This original work of de Fossa’s is, undoubtedly, a superb
archetype for his notion of what “music in the modern style” ought to be. The
unusual choice of tonality (Bb Major/g
minor,) the full exploitation of the polyphonic resources of the guitar, the
richness of melodic and harmonic material, all serve to show the composer as a
true adept of Haydenesque aesthetics.
François de Fossa was born in Perpignan on August 31st 1775 and died in Paris on June 3rd 1849. He was one of the most influential composers for the guitar, an influence which was reflected in his close personal relationships with many well known guitarists of the early nineteenth century, and in particular, with Dionisio Aguado. It is thanks to de Fossa that the guitar quintets of Luigi Boccherini, perhaps the basis of the repertoire for chamber music with guitar, were preserved and are available to us today.
Front cover illustration is a water color by François de Fossa (1861-1935?), the composer’s grandson. It was published as an illustration to an article titled “Le Marechal aux Champs” (l’Illustration, 20/11/1926, N° 4368) describing the residence of Marshal Ferdinand Foch at Trefeunteuniou, near Morlaix in Brittany. We are indebted to Marielle Olive for a copy of this water-color.
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