Fernando Sor

As a boy, Sor had to convince his parents to let him study music.

A brilliant performer and composer, Sor was also in great demand as a guitar teacher.

An unparalleled virtuoso in his day, Sor was one of the first to play the guitar as a classical concert instrument.

Sor attended military school for four years and served in the Spanish army.

Sor's Method for the Guitar remains a major contribution to guitar studies today.

Sor is credited with taking the guitar from obscurity and giving it the respect and popularity it enjoys in classical music today.

Though mostly remembered for his guitar works, Sor also composed for opera, orchestra, string quartet, piano, voice, and ballet.