Presents
Matthew Locke
Suite No.1 in c minor for String Trio
Matthew Locke (1621-1677) was born in the English town of Exeter where he received his early musical education. He became a central figure in 17th century English music. He served as Director of the King's Violins, Organist to the Queen, wrote music for several successful stage works, wrote an important book on music theory and was a prominent teacher, Henry Purcell being among his many students.
Today, Locke is mostly remembered for his consorts, the term he used for a grouping of pieces. The best known of these is the Little Consort, an assortment of short pieces aimed at children and beginners, the Broken Consort, an assortment for various groupings of intruments and not just one type of ensemble, and the Flat Consort, which dates from 1661 and consists of 24 dances in a series of five suites for three instruments: tenor, alto and bass viols. It is believed that it takes its name from the fact that there are an unusual amount of flat notes. Suite No.1 is in six movements: Fantazie, Courante, Fantazie, Saraband, Fantazie and Gigg. Within most of the movements, there are several sections which provide contrast by virtue of their tempo changes.
This Suite, as well as its companions, is historically important and leads directly to the era of Bach, Abel, Handel and others. It is clearly an example early chamber music and while our arrangement is for violin, viola and cello, it can also be played on viols if desired.
Parts: $19.95
