Luigi Boccherini: More Than a One-Hit Wonder

A painting of a lute, cello, violin, guitar, musical manuscript and books on a draped table by an unknown artist. Oil on canvas; 27 11/12 inches by 38 1/12 inches. Public Domain

Luigi Boccherini has been called “the greatest Italian composer of the Classical era.” This may sound like a large claim, until considering that the most famous composers of this era are all German. Italians tend to get short shrift.

A contemporary of Haydn and Mozart, Boccherini was just as prolific as they were. Unlike them, he’s largely remembered for just one piece, and that doesn’t do justice to the rest of his output.

A Huge Output

Boccherini was born in Lucca, Tuscany, in 1743. He started learning cello at age 5 from his father, who was the first double-bass soloist in history. The boy began making public appearances at 13, touring Vienna and Paris.