Fernando: Beethoven of the Guitar portrays the incredible life and legacy of Fernando Sor, the greatest guitarist of his era, and the first to elevate the guitar from the taverns of Spain to the concert halls of Europe.
Book II: Exile, Favor & Triumph reveals Fernando’s astounding trajectory in exile: from joy, grief, and adversity in Paris, to instant acclaim in London, to redemption in Paris and universal celebrity on his Grand Tour of Europe.
“Another enlightening and entertaining installment of Fernando Sor’s enduring legacy and I am keen to read its conclusion. .”
— Charlotte Walker, LoveReading Ambassador, UK
“Reading this trilogy has been a terrifically, even magically, enriching experience.”
— Colin Clarke, Fanfare, USA
International acclaim for Fernando:
Beautifully written and researched . . . a fascinating account of the amazing life of
Fernando Sor, the greatest virtuoso and composer in the history of music for guitar.
— Santiago del Rey, Editor and Translator, Barcelona
A magical and wondrous tale, and a treat for the senses, restoring Fernando Sor to his rightful position as a ‘son of Spain’ who took the guitar to unimaginable heights.
— Michèle de Gastyne, President, Musique Universelle Arc-en-Ciel, Paris
An act of love and an act of homage, this romantic historical novel reveals Marinoff as a spellbinding storyteller. The sheer range of reference is immense; a truly inspiring read.
— Colin Clarke, International Classical Music Critic, London
Fernando is a tour de force. So vivid is the style, Marinoff’s great love and affinity for Sor are evident throughout. Bravo on an engrossing account of this fascinating genius!
— Maestro Cesare Civetta, Founder and Music Director, Beethoven Festival Orchestra, New York
All classical guitarists know how important Sor was to their world, but this book goes far beyond . . . a most enjoyable and informative read for people from all walks of life.
— Peter McCutcheon, Honorary Professor of Classical Guitar, The University of Montreal
A delightful embroidering of a history, with a level of gusto that is unlikely to be
equaled. Hats off to Marinoff for this astonishing book!
— Jan Narveson, Ph.D., O.C., President, Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Music Society
A rare triumph that combines historical fiction with philosophical romance . . . a virtuoso
performance, entwining music, mystery, and metaphysics in a gripping tale.
— Makarand Paranjape, Ph.D., Professor of English Literature, Jawaharlal Nehru University
Marinoff conveys the spirit, manners, and social conditions of a past age with realistic
detail and fidelity, framed in beautiful prose . . . a welcome and exceptional gift.
— Juan Carlos Mercado, Ph.D., Dean of Interdisciplinary Studies at CWE, CUNY