Claude Antoine Jean Georges Napoléon Coste (June 27,
1805 – January 14, 1883) was a French guitarist and
composer.
Napoléon Coste was born in Amondans (Doubs), France,
near Besançon. He was first taught the guitar by his
mother, an accomplished player. As a teenager he became
a teacher of the instrument and appeared in many
concerts in the Franche-Comté. In 1829, at the age of
24, he moved to Paris where he studied under Fernando
Sor and quickly established himself as the leading...(+)
Claude Antoine Jean Georges Napoléon Coste (June 27,
1805 – January 14, 1883) was a French guitarist and
composer.
Napoléon Coste was born in Amondans (Doubs), France,
near Besançon. He was first taught the guitar by his
mother, an accomplished player. As a teenager he became
a teacher of the instrument and appeared in many
concerts in the Franche-Comté. In 1829, at the age of
24, he moved to Paris where he studied under Fernando
Sor and quickly established himself as the leading
French virtuoso guitarist. However, the demand for
guitarists was in decline and, though his brilliance
provided financial stability, he failed to find a
publisher for his music. As such, he had to fund its
publication himself.
"Barcarolle" (Op. 51 No. 1) is a folk song sung by
Venetian gondoliers, or a piece of music composed in
that style..." This piece is quite famous and his
composing ability beyond question, but when Napoleon
Coste fell and broke his arm it put paid to a promising
career as a guitarist that may have led to great
heights. It didn't, however, stop him from composing
some more very fine pieces that are only now, in modern
times, being appreciated.
Although this work was originally written for Guitar, I
created this arrangement for Folk or Concert (Pedal)
Harp.
