Joseph Fernando Macari Sors was born in Barcelona, Spain, on February 13, 1788. He later dropped the final “s” from his last name in favor of Sor, the name by which he is commonly known. At the age of 11 he entered the excellent music school at the monastery of Montserrat, though his enthusiasm for the guitar had to remain private. At the age of 18 he wrote an opera that was produced in Barcelona, and subsequently he went to Madrid, where he enjoyed the patronage of the Duke of Medinaceli and others. During the period of French occupation, Sor chose to support the puppet government of King Joseph Bonaparte in the hope of political reform, and accepted an official appointment in Jerez de la Frontera. When the French were driven out of Spain in 1813, Sor left with them and subsequently settled in Paris.

Two years later he moved to London, where he became celebrated as a performer and teacher of singing and the guitar, publishing many guitar works including his Variations on a Theme of Mozart, one of the most successful guitar pieces ever written. His ballet Cendrillon, based on the Cinderella story, was first produced at the King’s Theatre in London, and went on to a tremendously successful run in Paris and further performances in Moscow.

Of all the classical “guitar gods,” Sor was probably the most rounded musician, and he did much to raise the level of interest and appreciation of the instrument. His works still appear constantly on concert programs. He died in 1839.