Coste, Napoléon 06/27/1805 - 02/17/1883

Napoléon Coste (1805-1883) is considered the most significant French guitarist and composer for the guitar of the nineteenth century. He was born in the village of Amondans, France in 1806 and was taught the guitar by his mother. As a teenager he became a teacher of the instrument, and appeared in many concerts in the region. At the age of 24 he moved to Paris, where he quickly established himself as the leading French virtuoso guitarist. However, by the time he arrived there, the demand for guitarists was in decline, and though his brilliance provided financial stability, he failed to find a publisher for his music, which he had to fund himself. He was involved in an accident in 1863, resulting in a broken arm that brought his career to a premature end. He left a significant catalogue of music for the guitar, including his 25 Etudes Op. 38 and a new edition of Fernando Sor's guitar method.