This collection investigates the keyboard repertoire of Matthew Locke and his contemporaries to provide a comprehensive resource for period-appropriate performance. Christopher Hogwood, a renowned musicologist and conductor specializing in historical performance practice, curates this selection to bridge the gap between archival manuscripts and modern keyboard application. The book serves as a practical pedagogical tool, organizing 68 distinct pieces that reflect the stylistic nuances of the English Restoration period.

Experts and musicologists recognize this volume as a definitive reference for those studying English Baroque keyboard literature. Readers frequently note the meticulous editorial standards applied by Hogwood, making it a standard text for both students and professional performers.