Six Lessons for Harpsichord or Piano

Little is known about the life of Elizabeth Turner except her involvement in the London choral scene in the l 750’s. She composed sacred choral works and many settings of well-known English poetry. Her lessons for harpsichord come from a collection entitled A Collection of Songs with Symphonies and a Thorough Bass with Six Lessons for the Harpsichord. This collection has nineteen settings of poetry by men and women. including Ben Jonson. Matthew Prior, and Sir Charles Sedley.

The lessons generally feature middle movements in a parallel minor key and movements built on lively dances such as the Courante. Gigue, or the Savoyard.
Several of Turner’s lessons are recorded by Barbara Harbach, appear on the compact disc 18th Century Solo Harpsichord Music by Women Composers, Vol II.