F. Sor (1778-1839) was a Spanish classical guitarist and composer (operas, symphonies, string quartet, piano, voice and ballet). He was the first to convert the guitar into a miniature sized orchestra (observation made by L.V. Beethoven).
Generally speaking, Sor's guitar music depends on a solid independent lower voice, dialogues between the voices and the frequent use of three-voice independent textures. Sor's writing style was a representation of his advanced conception of the textural possibilities of the instrument.
The Grande Sonate op.22, a multi-movement piece set in the four movement scheme of the high classical Austro-French string quartet or symphony, was esthetically influenced by Haydn (1732-1809) and formally modeled after Pleyel (1757-1831). It was published for the first time in Paris in 1825 and most likely written in Spain during the period 1800-08. The Rondó-Allegretto is an extended five-part rondó A-B-A-C-A (ending with a coda) that presents elements of the sonata form through its transitions and theme types.
