Gottfried Finger

Sonata in E flat

In the archives of the Conservatoire of Prague is a copy of a sonata by Gottfried Finger for bass instrument and continuo. Frantisek Posta, solo double bass at the Czech Philharmonic, transcribed the solo part into E major for his own instrument. His orchestra colleague, professor Miloslav Hejda, arranged the part in Eb major for alto trombone and finally the composer and pianist Jaroslaw Mastalir supplied both versions with accompaniments for piano as well as for string orchestra. This magnificent baroque sonata in Eb major has four movements: the first could be described as a Prelude, the second as a Minuet without trio. Then follows a short Adagio in the relative minor key, leading to the Allegro comodo, which concludes this splendid piece.