Drei Sonaten (Three Sonatas for two treble recorders)

The recorder and the flute were by far the most popular instruments in England in the 17th and 18th centuries. Pieces for one or more flutes appeared in printed collections but more frequently in manuscript anthologies. The following works are representative of their period and show in what agreeable manner amateurs were introduced to music and to musical forms. The Sonata attributed to William Gorton is contained in an early 18th century collection of pieces for 2 flutes, psalm tunes, motets and other church music. Gorton was the first owner of this book (British Library Add. Ms. 17850), which later belonged to Maurice Greene, William Boyce and others before coming into the possession of the famous scholar and publisher Vincent Novello. Gorton was one of many able organists and he was active in Greenwich, near London. 

Daniel Purcell (c. 1663 - 1717), organist in Oxford and London, and a composer of much theatre music, was overshadowed by his famous brother Henry. But Daniel was an important figure in his own right. When Henry Purcell died he left unfinished the music for the play The Indian Queen. Daniel took over the commission and completed the task. The Sonata contained in this book is taken from A Choice Collection of Aires or Ariett's for two Flutes (pub. J. Walsh, 1707). 

Robert Valentine, active during the first half of the 18th century, was born in Leicester and became celebrated in Europe as a flautist and oboist. He spent some time in Italy and was also engaged in Germany. He published flute (or violin) and cembalo sonatas in Rome in 1708 but much of his work remains unpublished. The work chosen for this set of pieces is the third of the twelve Sonate a due oboe su l'aria di tromba (1719?), British Library Add Ms. 38531. This work has been transposed a minor third higher. 

1. Sonata - William Gorton

2. Sonata - Daniel Purcell

3. Sonata - Robert Valentine

Score: 14 pages.