Recorder sonata in A minor (HWV 362)

The Sonata in A minor (HWV 362) was composed (c. 1712) by George Frideric Handel for recorder and basso continuo (the autograph manuscript, a fair copy made most likely in 1712, gives this instrumentation in Italian: "flauto e cembalo").[1] The work is also referred to as Opus 1 No. 4, and was first published in 1732 by Walsh. Other catalogues of Handel's music have referred to the work as HG xxvii, 15; and HHA iv/3,21.[2]

Both the Walsh edition and the Chrysander edition indicate that the work is for recorder ("flauto"), and published it as Sonata IV.

A typical performance of the work takes about 11 minutes.

Movements

The work consists of four movements:

Movement Type Key signature Time signature Bars Notes
1 Larghetto A minor 3
4
50 Concludes with a E major chord.
2 Allegro A minor 4
4
38 Two sections (19 and 19 bars)—each with repeat markings.
3 Adagio ? 4
4
17 Even though there are no sharps or flats in the key signature, the movement begins in F major. Concludes with an E major chord.
4 Allegro A minor 4
4
50 Two sections (24 and 26 bars)—each with repeat markings. A transposed version of HWV 408.

(Movements do not contain repeat markings unless indicated. The number of bars is taken from the Chrysander edition, and is the raw number in the manuscript—not including repeat markings.)

See also

References

  1. ^ David Lasocki and Walter Bergmann, "Critical Report", in G. F. Handel, The Complete Sonatas for Treble (Alto) Recorder and Basso Continuo / Die gesamten Sonaten für Altblockflöte und Basso Continuo, edited by David Lasocki and Walter Bergmann, 67–79 (London: Faber Music Limited; New York: G. Schirmer, Inc.; Australia & Canada: Boosey & Hawkes; Kassel: Bärenreiter-Verlag; Tokyo: Zen-On Music Co. Ltd., 1979): 69 and 74n23.
  2. ^ Anthony Hicks, "Handel, George Frideric", The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, second edition, edited by Stanley Sadie and John Tyrrell (London: Macmillan Publishers, 2001): 10:801.