Luigi Boccherini never published this composition during his life, calling it “absolutely useless, even ridiculous, outside Spain, because the audience cannot hope to understand its significance, nor the performers to play it as it should be played.”
I’m pretty sure Bremer Barockorchester is outside of Spain, but they pour their hearts into this rendition of La Musica notturna delle strade di Madrid:
“This little quintet,” the composer tells us, “depicts the music heard at night in the streets of Madrid, from the bells sounding the Ave Maria to the Retreat.”
“And everything here that does not comply with the rules of composition should be pardoned for its attempt at an accurate representation of reality.”
Needles to say, nothing can replace being in the streets of Madrid at night, but I think I can find it in my heart to pardon Boccherini for sharing this passionate reminiscence with us!
Meanwhile, if Dear Reader is looking for something more in compliance with the rules of composition, and beautiful to boot, I would suggest a few of Luigi’s passionately playful symphonies.
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