It is impossible to imagine today's cello lessons without the works by Jean-Baptiste Bréval (1753-1823). This sonata is the first of the Six Sonates non difficiles pour le violoncelle, Op. 40 (1795). Because of its comfortable tonality and technical simplicity, it remains popular among cello teachers and students. As a performance piece, the sonata can be accompanied either by a second cello, as in Bréval's original version, by piano, or even by both instruments.