
Fernando Sor
(1778-1839)Country: Spain
Sor's parents did not encourage his passion for music (they feared the hobby would distract him from his Latin studies) and so by the tender age of 11 years of age he was composing songs with words in Latin to try to win over his parents. The new abbot of the famous monastery, Santa Maria de Montserrat, Joseph Arredondo, heard of the youngster's musical talent and henceforth provided funds for him to attend the monastery's choir school.

When Sor was 30 years of age Napoleon Bonaparte's French forces invaded Spain, and Sor supported his countrymen by writing patriotic songs for guitar and voice. However, after the Spanish defeat, he accepted an administrative post in the occupying government, and was thus labeled an afrancesado for abandoning the defense of Spain.
Fernando Sor wrote compositions for a wide range of genres, although today he is best known for his guitar works; his output included pieces for orchestra, opera, string quartet, piano, voice and ballet.
Sor's guitar music ranged from beginner to advanced levels. His contemporaries regarded him as amongst the world's finest guitar players and pieces like his Variations on a Theme of Mozart illustrates his virtuosity. Unlike modern guitarists, Sor avoided using the third (ring) finger of his plucking hand, and furthermore eschewed the use of fingernails.
Free sheet music by Fernando Sor
March Op 8 no 5
Minuet in C
Divertissement Op 1 No 1
Op 31 Etude no 5 Andantino
Op. 24 no. 1 Menuet

Classical - Guitar - Intermediate
Classical - Flute piano - Easy
Classical - Violin piano - Easy
Classical - Guitar piano - Easy
Classical - Bassoon piano - Intermediate
Classical - Cello piano - Intermediate
Classical - Horn piano - Intermediate
Classical - Tenor sax piano - Intermediate
Classical - Viola piano - Intermediate
Classical - Trumpet piano - Intermediate
Classical - Clarinet piano - Intermediate
Classical - Alto sax piano - Intermediate
Classical - Descant recorder piano - Intermediate
Classical - Alto recorder piano - Intermediate