Luigi Legnani was one of the great guitar virtuosos of the 19th century, a friend of Paganini and noted as a performer throughout Europe. Legnani’s substantial legacy of works for his instrument has remained largely neglected, but here we can experience the ‘delicacy and marvelous mastery’ of the Terremoto con variazioni (‘Earthquake with variations’), the expansive melodies of the Gran Ricercario o Studio, and the quasi-orchestral textures and brilliant pyrotechnics of the Gran Capriccio. This world premiere recording provides an essential rediscovery of Legnani’s works for guitar, and confirms his status as one of the finest guitar composers of his generation.
