This collection investigates the stylistic characteristics and technical requirements of the eighteenth-century voluntary as a foundational form for keyboard performance. Peter Prelleur, a prominent musician and composer of the period, provides a curated selection of works that demonstrate the transition of keyboard music during the early Georgian era. The text serves as a primary source for understanding the ornamentation, harmonic structure, and performance practices expected of organists and harpsichordists in the 1700s.

Musicologists and performers frequently cite this collection as a vital resource for authentic period performance. Experts highlight the clarity of the transcriptions and the historical significance of the R.C.O. manuscript in preserving these specific compositions.