Giovanni Battista Granata

Full biography Giovanni Battista Granata

Giovanni Battista Granata was an Italian Baroque guitarist and composer, born in 1620 or 1621 in Italy and passed away in 1687. He is widely known for his prolific contributions to the classical guitar repertoire during the Baroque period.

Although we know very little about his life, we do know that he was a barber-surgeon by profession. Granata's compositions for the guitar were highly regarded in his time, and he was considered one of the most skilled and versatile composers for the instrument.

Granata's music embodies the Baroque style, characterized by elaborate ornamentation, complex harmonies, and skilled use of counterpoint. His music is known for its beauty and expressiveness, and many of his compositions have become staples of the classical guitar repertoire.

Some of Granata's most famous works include the "Capricci Armonici," a set of 12 sonatas for guitar and basso continuo, and his "Intavolatura di Chitarra," a collection of works for solo guitar. He is also known to have written music for the theorbo, a large lute-like instrument popular in the Baroque era.

Although he has been buried by history and most of his compositions are widely unknown, it is known that one of his compositions, "Ciacona," has been linked to the famous Led Zeppelin song "Stairway to Heaven," which has kept his music alive for the contemporary audience. Many musicians continue to study and perform Granata's music today, and his work continues to be celebrated for its beauty, complexity, and historical significance.