Butler: Collected Works

Henry Butler was a virtuoso viol player from England employed at the Spanish court. His music combines an English approach to writing for the viol with an Italian style of ensemble composition. These twenty works, mostly divisions on grounds for the bass viol, also include four compositions for violin, bass viol, and basso continuo. Butler's sonatas are among the earliest examples of that genre written by an English-born composer, and one work is arguably the earliest sonata for bass viol and basso continuo.

Divisions in C Major (3 sets)

Divisions in D Major

Divisions in D Minor (2 sets)

Prelude in E Minor

Divisions in E Minor

Prelude in F Major

Divisions in F Major (2 sets)

Divisions in F Major/D Minor

Divisions in G Major

Divisions in A Minor (2 sets)

Sonata in E Minor

Aria in E Minor

Sonata in F Major

Sonata in G Major

Sonata in G Minor

Robert Ford, Notes, December 1994; Andrew Ashbee, Music & Letters, November 1992; Alison Crum, Chelys, 1992