Six Quintets for Flute and Strings Attributed to Luigi Boccherini (G 437-442): A Critical Edition

Abstract

The Six Quintets for flute, violin, viola, and two cellos, G 437-442, attributed to the Italian cellist and composer Luigi Boccherini (1743-1805) have been recorded twice, but, surprisingly, they have never been published. The Archivo General de Palacio (Royal Palace Archive) in Madrid holds the only known source of the quintets: a set of five manuscript parts. Each part is dedicated to one of the instruments and includes the six quintets. The study of the manuscript reveals two different copyists involved using a different type of paper. The manuscript parts are legible; however, mistakes and differences in articulations between instruments are common. The main purpose of this work is to provide a critical edition of the Six Quintets, including a score, a set of parts, and a detailed critical commentary. The score shows both the original slurs from the manuscript and the suggested articulations by the editor (with dashed slurs). The parts include only the editor’s articulations, in order to simplify the performance. In addition, the reader will find information about the historical context of the quintets, a detailed study of the manuscript, an analysis of the main characteristics of the quintets, and an explanation of the editorial process. The last chapter is dedicated to performance practice. Its goal is to introduce and guide the reader towards a historically informed performance, citing the main applicable sources. The conclusion presents a reflection on the authorship of the quintets. Complete score and parts are published by Editorial Arpegio.