Contemporary Paganini and Giuliani, virtuoso guitarist, in turn, Filippo Gragnani (1767-1812) contributed to the development of six-string guitar both by writing new parts improvisations by the public, custom widespread in the 19th century as in the field of contemporary jazz.

Similar to Carulli in style. Gragnani came from Livorno, Italy, from a family of instrument builders and musicians, trained as a violinist, thus the many violinistic effects in his music. He later devoted himself to guitar, visited Germany, and settled in Paris where he became good friends with Carulli. Gragnani dedicated 3 duets to Carulli. Gragnani was particularly talented with chamber music, thus the duets, trios, and works for violin and guitar are among the finest.

Angelo Gilardino: "It is the case of an eminent guitarist-composer whose work - a typical expression of the Italian style of the 2nd half of XVIIIth century - is still little known, because it has been shadowed by the works of the Italian masters who wrote in more an updated style (Carulli and Giuliani above all). Really, Gragnani's comparatively small output stands very well in front of any modern audience and all what he wrote can be successfully performed in concert nowadays, I would dare to say more successfully than Carulli's average works and at least as successfully as Giuliani's pieces.

Filippo Gragnani was born at Livorno (Leghorn) on 1767 and the date of his death is tentatively fixed on 1812 in Paris. He was one of the sons of a musical family, mainly devoted to violin and guitar making. He received very early a first class training as a violin player under the guidance of Giulio Maria Luchesi - then he can be considered a descendant of the famous violin school of Nardini (Luchesi's teacher). He shifted to guitar later. He composed 15 published works.

Besides the Trio Op. 12... I strongly recommend you get acquainted with the Three Sonatas for solo guitar published by Zimmermann, Frankfurt, under the cares of Guido Margaria. They are excellent examples of that peculiar Sonata form in two movements created by Italian masters with a special concern for...melody: despite the skills showed in the formal design, these Sonatas are mainly very beautiful songs." - Angelo Gilardino