Joseph Bodin de Boismortier (1689–1755) — the ‘French Telemann’ — was perhaps the most prolific and experimental composer working in France during the period 1724–47. His Six Sonates a deux violons Op. 71 were published in 1738, but it can be assumed that few copies were printed, as all recent catalogues of the composer’s works describe the set as ‘lost’. In 1981, however, a surviving copy was deposited at the Bibliothèque municipale de Lyon, yet scholars appear to have been unaware of its location until now.
The full title of Op. 71 — Six Sonates à deux violons, dont les trois premières sont simples, et les trois suivantes mêlées d’accordo [sic] — hints at the didactic nature of the work. The first three sonatas are relatively undemanding technically, while the remainder make ample use of double and multiple stopping, a style of writing influenced by Leclair’s Op. 3 (1730) and already adopted by Boismortier in his VI Sonates pour un flute traversiere, et un violon par accords, Op. 51 (1734). In spite of their debt to Leclair, the Op. 71 sonatas are typically ‘Boismortierian’ in terms of their structure and their melodic and harmonic language. Movements characteristic of the sonata da chiesa (three of which are skilfully written fugues) are integrated with popular dance forms, which must surely have resonated with amateur musicians (and their audiences) of the day.
TWO VIOLINS
 Music example Duet 1 (pdf)
Music example Duet 2 (pdf)
Music example Duet 3 (pdf)
Music example Duet 4 (pdf)
Music example Duet 5 (pdf)
Music example Duet 6 (pdf)
The reappearance of these sonatas is noteworthy, not only for researchers of Boismortier’s music, but also for those interested in the early eighteenth-century repertory for two solo violins. It raises hopes that further sets of ‘lost’ works by the composer (at least 30 are still unaccounted for) will eventually come to light.
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ed. Michael Elphinstone
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* FLUTE CONCERTO *
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Giacob Basevi Cervetto (1690–1783), born into the small Jewish community in Verona, came to London in 1739 and established himself as one of the city’s leading cellists in the middle decades of the eighteenth century. Of his six concertos surviving in manuscript five are for cello, but one, which came to light only recently, is for flute, being a clever adaptation of one of his own flute sonatas. This sparkling and melodious work, whose slow movement contains a written-out cadenza, is well suited to amateur as well as professional performance.
FULL SCORE
Music example (pdf)
INSTRUMENTAL PARTS
Instruments: Solo flute, two violins, viola, violoncello and basso continuo
Format: Instrumental parts (PDF)
Series: Baroque
Code: HH612.IPT DIGITAL DOWNLOAD
Price: £35.00
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Nocturne
is included in the Grade 6 Piano syllabus of the ABRSM
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| Den lille danserinnen (‘The Little Ballerina’) evokes a charming, gracious, light-footed dancer, while Nocturne makes the piano sing in the romantic tradition. Both these delightful short pieces would be ideal encores!
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"I love these two little pieces, and I am sure many late intermediate players will enjoy them equally."Read Andrew Eales's review in Pianodao
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 List of works published and in press |
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You can download the current catalogue (pdf) by clicking the cover on the right. |
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Music example (pdf)