Matteo Carcassi (1792-1853)

Free Stuff - Direct Purchase Items

Matteo Carcassi was born in Florence, Italy in 1792. He began his studies at the piano, but moved to guitar while still at a tender age. At the age of sixteen, he began a regular concert career that would last over 30 years. His first performances in Italy were warmly received warmly. At age eighteen he began his first tour of Germany. While there he met Antoine Meissonnier, with whom remained friends for many years, publishing many works together. The critical praise that he received in Germany led him to Paris in 1820 and London in 1822. Over the next several years, he toured regularly between Paris, London and Germany. Carcassi spent most of his time in Paris where he was a contemporary of the Ferdinand Carulli. His fame began to rival the older virtuoso, who up to this point, had remained the uncontested maestro of the guitar. Carcassi distinguished himself from his Neopolitan counterpart in many ways. He played without the use of fingernails, used the higher positions more extensively, had a stronger sense of melody, a larger array of effects and a different instrumental posture. He was one of the first to use classical position most accepted today, placing a foot stool under the left foot with the guitar placed upon the left knee. Carcassi returned to his native, Italy, for a series of concerts in 1836. Shortly thereafter, he settled down in Paris, abandoning most concert activity, concentrating instead on teaching guitar and piano, and publishing his work. Carcassi published over 80 works for the guitar, including many fantasias, themes with variations, and guitar sonatas. The two pedagogical works Opus 59 - "Complete Method for the Guitar," and Opus 60 - "25 Melodic and Progressive Etudes," are still in high demand today. Carcassi died in Paris on January 16, 1853.

"Study in A," is beautiful piece which utilizes tuplets throughout. They are only notated in the first measure per common practice for pieces such as this. It might help to think of it in 12/8 time. Pay attention to the groupings, accenting the first note of each. Try using the rest stroke to bring out the melody, top voice, from within the arpeggio pattern.

More Carcassi Guitar Music

Matteo Carcassi: 25 Melodic and Progressive Studies, OP. 60
by Matteo Carcassi, Arranged and performed by Paul Henry

$17.50 - Book & CD Package - HL00696506

One of Carcassi's (1792-1853) most famous collections of classical guitar music – indispensable for the modern guitarist's musical and technical development. 48 Pages. Performed by Paul Henry on companion 49-minute audio accompaniment.

Matteo Carcassi: 25 Etudes Melodiques Op. 60 by Matteo Carcassi 

$9.75 - Book 97386

This collection of Etudes Op. 60 has long been an intrinsic part of the guitar repertoire, together with the well known studies of Coste, Sor, and Giuliani. Overall Difficulty: Intermediate-Advanced. 32 pages.

Carcassi In Tablature arranged and recorded by Ben Bolt  

$24.50 - Book/CD Set 98958BCD

The book includes over 64 of the best of Carcassi's works. All music is digitally recorded by Ben Bolt in the order of this publication. Carcassi has been proven to be a" best seller" among retailers. Now with the man who is credited with being the innovator of classic guitar in notation/tab/recording. Overall Difficulty:  Intermediate. 128 pages.

The Complete Carcassi Guitar Method compiled by Mel Bay & Joseph Castle 

$11.95 - Book 93611ENSP

Here in a single volume is the original guitar method of Mateo Carcassi (1792-1853) translated to ENGLISH and SPANISH and published with his famous "25 Studies". Although regarded as moderately archaic in terms of modern guitar technique, Carcassi's time- proven method is second to none in its presentation of a graded learning system featuring scales, exercises, and engaging compositions in various keys. Written in standard notation only. Overall Difficulty:  Multiple Levels. 112 pages.

Classical Studies for Guitar edited by Peter Paffgen 

$9.75 - Book 800160

This edition includes the 24 Progressive Studies, Op 31 and 24 Very Easy Studies. Op. 35 by Fernando Sor and the 25 Melodic and Progressive Studies by Matteo Carcassi. Written in standard notation only with text in English, German and French. Overall Difficulty:  Multiple Levels. 108 pages.