[Guitar] Carulli, Ferdinando. (1770-1841) & Molino, Francois. (1755-1847) & Varlet, A.H.
"Méthode complète" for the Guitar - with Autograph Manuscript
Paris: Maurice Schlesinger. [Ca. 1830]. Méthode complète pour parvenir, en peu de temps et Sans Maître, à pincer de la Guitare, par les moyens les plus simples et les plus faciles, par A. H. Varlet. Suivie de 14 petits Morceaux de Carulli, 8 Préludes et de Dolce ed Utile grand Recueil progressif contenant 15 petits Morceaux, 3 grandes Valses, 3 Rondeaux, 3 Thèmes variés d'un Caprice, par Ferdinando Carulli. Upright folio (34 x 26cm). Engraved throughout. [PN] 708, 546, 138, 327, 328, 329. 1ff, 1 - 6 pp, 115 pps + [24 pp]. Contemporary blue marbled boards, half green parchment, red leather title plate to spine and erased paper title plate to front board. Boards rubbed, internally very fine.Pagination as follows: "Principes élémentaires de la musique" (pp. 1-6, [PN] M.S. 708 and 546); "Tableau Synoptique du Manche de la Guitare" [...] "Accorder La Guitare en Mi" (pp. 1-55, [PN] M.S. 546); "Carulli 14 Morceaux" (pp. 56-67, [PN] M.S. 138); "Carulli Dolce ed Utile" (pp. 68-79, [PN] M.S. 327); "Trois Grandes Valses" (pp. 80-96, [PN] M.S. 328); "Trois Thêmes Variés" (pp. 98-115, [PN] M.S. 329). Followed by 24 manuscript pages: one page with a manuscript diagram of the guitar fingerboard, and the following pages a manuscript copy of Francesco Molino's guitar method with the title page "Méthode de guitare par François Molino à Adrien Fourrier," with two interspersed pages of additional music.
A very interesting volume bringing together Carulli's seminal guitar method (1826) and some of his most-performed works with Francesco Molina's similar treatise (1830).
Carulli was author of the first complete classical guitar method, which continues to be used today. He wrote a variety of works for classical guitar, including concertos and chamber works and was extremely prolific, composing over 400 works for the instrument in the space of 12 years. "The leading Italian guitarist of his time, he moved to Paris some time after the birth of his son (1801) with his French-born wife Marie-Joséphine Boyer...From 1809 Carulli made Paris his permanent home, where he was at the centre of the phenomenon known as guitaromanie, establishing himself as a virtuoso, composer and teacher. According to contemporary music critics, Carulli was the first to reveal to Paris audiences what the guitar was capable of in terms of expressivity, timbre, harmony and virtuosity, and he brought about a change in taste and performing practice." (Mario Torta, Grove Online)
Francesco Molino was an Italian guitarist, violinist, and composer. Born in Ivrea, near Turin, he settled in Paris in 1820. His works were largely neglected until the twentieth century, when many of them were republished. Among the best-known are his Three Sonatas, 18 Preludes and Terpsichore (a set of dances), all for solo guitar. He also wrote for other instruments in combination with the guitar, including flute and viola. His guitar method was published in 1830. (8186)
Manuscript Music Classical Music