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Napoleon CosteFrench classical guitarist and composer
Date of Birth: 27.06.1805
Country:  France |
Content:
Early Life and Education
Nicolas-Charles Bochsa was born on August 9, 1789 in Montmédy, France, the son of a French army captain. His family moved to Ornans in 1809 and to Valenciennes in 1815 after his father's retirement. Bochsa began learning the guitar at the age of six under the tutelage of his mother, who was an accomplished guitar player.
Career in Paris
In 1830, Bochsa moved to Paris, where he quickly gained popularity and befriended several notable guitarists of the time. He studied with Fernando Sor and performed with him in a duet. Bochsa became recognized as the premier guitarist in France, and his compositions were published. However, interest in the guitar declined in the late 1830s, forcing guitarists like Bochsa to find other ways to earn a living.
Artistic Accomplishments
Despite the declining popularity of the guitar, Bochsa continued to compose. In 1856, he won the second prize in a guitar composition competition in Brussels for his "Grand Serenade." He was also known for his guitar arrangements of 17th- and 18th-century lute pieces. Bochsa's own compositions were heavily influenced by Sor and the ideals of Romanticism.
Civil Service Career
After suffering a broken arm in 1863, Bochsa was forced to give up his performance career. He took up a civil service position and continued to compose and teach. Bochsa died in Paris on January 6, 1883.
Legacy
Bochsa is considered one of the greatest French guitarists of the 19th century. The majority of his compositions were written for guitar, but he also wrote pieces for oboe. Bochsa played both the standard six-string guitar and innovative experimental models with additional strings.
