Jean-Baptiste Lully (1632-1687) is considered a master of the French baroque style. He was an Italian-born composer and dancer who spent most of career in the court of Louis XIV. Lully masterfully played guitar and violin. He conducted the string ensemble in the most powerful and audacious court of the time. Perhaps his greatest love was dancing, which proved to bring his life to an end. During a performance in celebration of the King’s recovery from surgery, Lully struck his foot with a giant conducting staff (which conductors in that era would loudly bang on the floor to mark the beat). His injury became infected with Gangrene, which was only treatable with amputation. Lully refused to have his leg removed because he wanted to dance. The infection eventually spread to his brain, killing him. Lully really loved to dance.
This level 4 arrangement includes many dynamics and color changes. Ask students to pay close attention to these details as well as the left-hand fingering. Guitar 1 reaches the 5th fret. Guitar 3 uses fingers 3 and 4 on the same fret of adjacent strings to preserve legato.
About the arranger:
Born in Istanbul, Turkey, Kaya began studying classical guitar at the age of six with his father, Dr. Mehmet Refik Kaya. In addition to winning many major classical guitar competitions, earning Masters and Doctorate degrees from prestigious Universities, and touring as a concert soloist, Kaya is a prolific composer. He has written and published music for solo guitar, violin, piano, string trio and many other combinations of performers. Learn more at celilrefikkaya.com.