A rare Cherubini instrumental work

June 4, 2010

Christopher and Edition HH celebrate Luigi Cherubini's 250th anniversary this year with an unusual publication.

Johann Joseph Zoffany (1733-1810), The Gore family with George, 3rd Earl Cowper (Yale Centre for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection). Lord Cowper (standing) was Cherubini's patron, and his erstwhile mistress, Marchesa Corsi, was wife of Marchese Antonio Corsi, to whom these sonatas are dedicated.

Although the composer is universally known for his operatic works, one of his earliest publications (at the age of 23) was a set of six sonatas for keyboard (1783). Vivacious and melodically appealing two-movement works, they sound equally well on the harpsichord and the forte-piano — the latter instrument being popular around the court of the Grand Duke Leopold in Florence where the works were issued.

This edition, with full critical notes and facsimiles, also includes editorial suggestions for the many small cadenzas and "lead-ins" which are required as improvised extras in such music. A sample page can be found in Edition HH's leaflet for the edition.