Georg Muffat studied as a youngster with Lully, in Paris, and was involved most of his life with the Catholic Church. Among his compositions is the 'Armonico Tributo' of 1682, five multi-movement, five-voice sonatas which Muffat left open as to various instrumental possibilities, even including performance as concerti grossi. One hears the influence of Corelli, whom Muffat met while in Rome, but there are also moments when one surmises that Handel knew these scores well.

The music, perfectly gorgeous in this smaller instrumental version, mixes the French and Italian styles, as well as chamber-sonata and sonata da chiesa movements.

Georg Muffat paid tribute to the French dance music in his two collections which he called 'Florilegium Primum' (1695) and 'Florilegium Secundum' (1698).

Ars Antiqua Austria here plays the first of these.