William Bates (c.1732–1778) was a leading figure in the area of vocal music for the London stage and pleasure gardens in the 1760s and 1770s, but he also produced two important collections of instrumental music: six trio sonatas for two violins, cello and continuo around 1757, his first published collection, and six concertos including horns in 1762. The trio sonatas show a composer already at the height of his powers. They are among the best works of their kind created in England in the decade before the advent of J. C. Bach ushered in the full-blown Classical style, and their previous neglect has probably been due in large part to Bates’s low profile as a performer during his lifetime, which has hindered his recognition by historians and commentators. Now is the time to put that right.

 Music example Sonata No. 4 (pdf)
 Music example Sonata No. 5 (pdf)
 Music example Sonata No. 6 (pdf)