The Rare Theatrical contains eight pieces called ‘Curtain Tune’, two called ‘Symphony’ and an ‘Act Tune’. Unfortunately, the pieces do not have titles that appear to relate to particular plays, so it is generally impossible to go further. However, there is no doubt that The Rare Theatrical also contains music that does not come from theatre suites, for example the six four-movement suites of ‘brawls’, one in each of the main sections.

The music is scored almost uniformly in four parts using a...