A Sett of Familiar Lessons for the Harpsichord op. 2

This set of six short two-movement keyboard sonatinas, or ‘lessons’ (in the traditional English manner), come from a hitherto overlooked 1755 publication by a composer already well known and appreciated for his slightly earlier oboe sonatas. Vincent’s melodic gifts and skill in musical construction, clearly evident in the wind sonatas, are here complemented by an obvious flair for effective keyboard writing and an ability to spring welcome musical surprises.

The pieces are partly backward-looking (with allemandes and gigues), partly in the emergent early Classical style (with ‘singing allegros’ and movements in minuet rhythm). Not difficult technically, these sonatinas offer ideal teaching material, but they have equal potential as recital pieces.