Johann Baptist Vanhal: Three Easy Sonatas

Vanhal's importance is to be seen above all in his symphonic writing, through which he became one of the key figures in establishing the Viennese symphonic style. In addition to his symphonies, a series of solo concertos, vocal compositions and chamber works has been left us; in the latter the flute played a relatively important role. The present three easy sonatas (published together in the first edition by Simrock under the title Petites Pieces Faciles) have been prepared using the method of partly transferring the right hand part of the piano into the flute part, in order to render it more attractive - a similar process to that normally used in editing Mozart's flute sonatas. Otherwise the edition adheres as far as possible to the text of the first edition.