Uncommon Splendor
Sacramento Baroque Soloists
October 10 & 11, 2026
St. Paul's Episcopal and The Table UMC

Program Notes

James Oswald (1711-1769), whose seasonal work surrounds our program, was a Scottish composer with a myriad of other talents, including as a cellist, dancing master, and music publisher. He wrote many melodies that have become traditional. Charles Burney, the noted diarist and musicologist, was impressed with Oswald’s shop when it opened in London, and served as a gathering place for composers, writers and musicians. As his fame in London grew, Oswald was appointed chamber composer to George III. His major works were his Airs for the Seasons, 96 sonatas, grouped by seasons, and each one dedicated to a different flower or tree. In “The Marvel of Peru” three flowers of different colours are represented. “The Nightshade” describes belladonna, and symbolizes prostitution and sailors.

Jean-Marie Leclair (1697-1764), from a well-known musical family, lived in Paris for most of his life, and was noted for his violin playing and his many compositions, especially for violin. He also wrote flute sonatas and an opera, which has survived. Unfortunately, he was murdered, possibly by his estranged second wife, although the murder mystery has never been solved.  

Johann Georg Tromlitz (1725-1805) was a German composer and flute maker. He was the great grandfather of Clara Schumann, and wrote three books about flute playing. Tromlitz invented the 8 keyed flute, which was supposed to play in tune in all keys. It is still available for purchase, although the Boehm system has mostly supplanted it. The Partita is probably supposed to showcase the flute Tromlitz invented, but it works on a Baroque flute as well. For a fanciful biography of him in the first person see flutehistory.com. 

Isabella Leonarda (1620-1704) was one of the most prolific composers of her time, composing some 200 works, mostly for the Urseline convent Sant’Orsola, which she joined at the age of 16. She held numerous positions, from madre through superiora, writing compositions mostly from the age of 50 until her death at 83. Most of her works were solo motets and vocal pieces for the church. But today she is most known for her 12 violin sonatas, for two and three stringed instruments. Sonata 12, which we hear tonight, is her only solo sonata, in seven sections with two recitative slow movements.

Pierre Gabriel Buffardin (1690-1768) was a flutist in Paris and teacher of other flutists, including JS Bach’s older brother Johann Jacob. He must have travelled a fair amount, since there is evidence that he was in Constantinople and Dresden. Quantz said of him that he only liked to play fast pieces, which may explain the number of fast movements in his trio sonata. Notable is the canon between the top two instruments in the first movement. The music is completely French and charming.
 

-Marion Rubinstein