These six movements by Jeremiah Clarke and John Shore represent the kind of pieces written for natural trumpet with strings in the time of Purcell, and shortly after. They were used as entra-acte tunes in the theatre, or for ceremonial occasions. They are intended to be played simply and gracefully, with ornamentation limited to cadential trills.

John Shore (1662-1753) had an extraordinary career as a trumpeter, teacher and lutenist, and lived to the age of 91. He inspired Purcell, Clarke and others to write entertaining and lusterous music for the trumpet, at which Shore was a master.

Jeremiah Clarke (1673-1707) has been overshadowed by Purcell, to whom many of his works have been wrongly attributed. As well as the catchy theatre tunes such as those included in this selection (Shore's Trumpet; Trumpet Minuet) he wrote two operas and worked at Drury Lane. Unfortunately, Clarke took his own life after being spurned by a female pupil.

The only piece in the collection of unknown provenance is the "Trumpett" (3rd movement), whereas movements 1, 5 & 6 are almost certainly by John Shore.