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Around the year 1770, the firm of Longman, Lukey & Co. printed a set of six sonatas da camera by José Plà (fl. 1750-68). These are among the last compositions to be created in this genre.

The composer is one of three Spanish oboe-playing brothers, the other two being Juan Bautista and Manuel. Although the 1770 volume is ascribed to José, it is clear that not all the compositions in it are by him: for example, the initial sonata is a modest work, while the final one presented here is absolutely first-class.

The three movements of Sonata No. 6 in Eb Major are set up as follows: Allegro: rondeau; Andante: rounded binary form form; and Minuetto: rounded binary form.  The central movement is placed in the relative minor, and, in fact, is the only movement in the entire set of six to be composed in the minor.

The frontispiece specifies two oboes and continuo, with marketing dictating the usual alternatives to the oboes as two violins or two transverse flutes. The texture of Sonata No. 6 indicates that instruments with contrasting colors should be utilized for the two upper voices. I would recommend oboe and violin over a continuo of harpsichord and bassoon.