Luigi Boccherini

A double bassist, Boccherini's father began giving his son cello lessons at the age of five.

At 16, Boccherini was solo cellist at the Imperial Theater in Vienna. His first compositions were published when he was 17.

Being a virtuoso cellist himself, Boccherini composed extensively for the instrument, including 12 cello concertos and at least 19 cello sonatas.

Although born in Italy, Boccherini lived in Spain for most of his life.

Boccherini often played violin repertoire on the cello, at pitch -- a skill he developed by substituting for ailing violinists while touring.

Boccherini's cello compositions reveal very advanced cello technique for his time.

Boccherini pioneered the string quintet, consisting of two violins, two cellos, and one viola.