Jean-Baptiste Loeillet

Professionally Loeillet was first referred to when he moved to London in 1705. By 1707 he was a member of the orchestra at Drury Lane playing the flute and oboe. By 1709 he had become the principal oboist for the Queen's operatic theatre orchestra. Concerts were often given in this talented musicians home including the English premiere of Corelli's concerti grossi. Loeillet was also present and instrumental in testing a new organ at St Dionis Backchurch with Handel and Croft. The transverse flute was popularized in England by Loeillet as well. He composed a number of works for the harpsichord and spinet indicative of his mastery of and teaching for this instrument. Other composiions included three part sonatas and solo works for the recorder, oboe and flute. Characteristics of his music included trios in which the second and tertiary voices were subordinate to the melody, bass lines in the sonatas that were scored merely as supporting parts to the dominant melodies, and remarkably different styles for different combinations of instruments. ~ Keith Johnson