Charles Noblet (1715–1769), was a leading organist and harpsichordist in mid eighteenth-century Paris. He served several Parisian churches as organist and became resident harpsichordist first at the school of singing attached to the Opera and finally harpsichordist for the Opera orchestra itself. As a teacher of keyboard instruments, he was much sought-after and had several distinguished pupils. He was active as a composer of chamber cantatas, several of which survive, and of sacred vocal music. He also composed music for the organ, but committed none of it to print. Fortunately, he brought out in 1757 a collection of keyboard music that survives: this comprises three suites for harpsichord and three sonatas scored for harpsichord plus ‘accompanying’ violin.

These sonatas are in the tradition of Mondonville’s Op. 3 of 1734, which means that the violin becomes an almost equal and unquestionably indispensable partner to the keyboard instrument. These attractive pieces are rich and varied in content with many original touches. They mix French and Italian stylistic elements felicitously and are suited to performance in many settings, including the concert hall.

 Music example Sonata 1 (pdf)
 Music example Sonata 2 (pdf)
 Music example Sonata 3 (pdf)