The Sonata in Restoration England: From Fantasia Suites to Early English Trio Sonatas

ABSTRACT Even though the sonata spread from Italy throughout Europe no later than the second decade of the seventeenth century, it seems to have been introduced into England only after the Restoration. One of the reasons for this was the popularity of the fantasia suite, which remained in circulation both inside and outside the court. The absorption of the Italian sonata in England was a gradual process, but it eventually came to occupy a prominent position within English musical life after Corelli’s music arrived at the turn of the century, nearly sweeping away any kind of English instrumental music. Nevertheless, when and how the sonata was introduced into England is still not fully understood. An examination of two particular early trio sonatas written in England can help to understand how the Italian sonata was introduced in England and the extent of its influence on early English sonatas in the latter part of the seventeenth century.