Joseph Bodin de Boismortier's Trio Sonata in A minor, Op. 37 No. 5, published in 1732, is a French Baroque chamber work written for one treble…
Joseph Bodin de Boismortier’s Trio Sonata in A minor, Op. 37 No. 5, published in 1732, is a French Baroque chamber work written for one treble instrument and two bass parts.
The sonata consists of three movements in a fast-slow-fast pattern:
Vivace: An upbeat and energetic opening.
Largo: A slow, expressive middle movement.
Allegro: A lively concluding movement featuring counterpoint.
Boismortier typically designed his works with flexible instrumentation to suit amateur and professional musicians alike. Common arrangements for this sonata include:
Treble Part: Flute, oboe, or violin.
Solo Bass Part: Unlike standard trio sonatas where the bass often just doubles the continuo, this part is a “true solo” for bassoon, cello, or viola da gamba.
Basso Continuo: Harpsichord, piano, or organ, often reinforced by a second cello or bassoon.
