Although the guitar is more closely associated with Spain than with any other country, it was Italy which brought it into the concert hall. Paganini, the famous violin virtuoso, was an avid and very able guitarist who frequently wrote for the instrument. Mauro Giuliani was the most celebrated concert guitarist of the time. He became famous during the late days of the Classical era, and even Beethoven wrote guitar music for him. His rise to fame paralleled that of Rossini. His instrumental style occupies similar ground in the continuum between the Classical and the Romantic eras.

This sonata was first written as work for flute and guitar. In keeping with the business practices of music of the day, Giuliani also had published a violin version. The music is very tuneful, using the kind of operatic Italian melody which Rossini was making popular. The sonata is nearly 20 minutes long and is a very pleasing, though hardly deep, work.

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