Violin sonata in G minor (HWV 364a)
Encyclopedia
The Violin sonata in G minor (HWV 364a) was composed (circa 1722–24) by George Frideric Handel
for violin and keyboard (harpsichord
). The work is also referred to as Opus 1 No. 6, and was first published in 1732 by Walsh
. Other catalogues of Handel's music have referred to the work as HG
xxvii,22; and HHA
iv/18,6. Also published in HG xlviii,118 (with an extra part for Organo).
Both the Walsh edition
and the Chrysander edition
indicate that the work is for oboe, and published it as Sonata VI. It is not known whether Handel sanctioned the change of instrument, however the fact that the piece contains notes beyond the range of the oboe would suggest that he did not. Handel's original manuscript indicates that the sonata would be suitable "per la Viola da Gamba"—and the version of the work for that instrument is designated as HWV 364b.
A typical performance of the work takes just over 7 minutes.
:
(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.)
George Frideric Handel
George Frideric Handel was a German-British Baroque composer, famous for his operas, oratorios, anthems and organ concertos. Handel was born in 1685, in a family indifferent to music...
for violin and keyboard (harpsichord
Harpsichord
A harpsichord is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It produces sound by plucking a string when a key is pressed.In the narrow sense, "harpsichord" designates only the large wing-shaped instruments in which the strings are perpendicular to the keyboard...
). The work is also referred to as Opus 1 No. 6, and was first published in 1732 by Walsh
John Walsh (printer)
John Walsh was an English music publisher of Irish descent, established off the Strand, London, by c. 1690. He was appointed musical instrument-maker-in-ordinary to the king in 1692....
. Other catalogues of Handel's music have referred to the work as HG
Händel-Gesellschaft
Between 1858 and 1902, the Händel-Gesellschaft, or "German Handel Society," produced a collected 105-volume edition of the works of Georg Frideric Handel. Even though the collection was initiated by the society, many of the volumes were published by Friedrich Chrysander working alone...
xxvii,22; and HHA
Hallische Händel-Ausgabe
The Hallische Händel-Ausgabe is a multi-volume collection of the works of George Frideric Handel. It was first published in the 1950s: initially as an adjunct to the HG edition, but by 1958 as a collected edition in its own right...
iv/18,6. Also published in HG xlviii,118 (with an extra part for Organo).
Both the Walsh edition
Handel solo sonatas (Walsh)
Solos for a German Flute a Hoboy or Violin with a Thorough Bass for the Harpsichord or Bass Violin Compos'd by Mr. Handel was published by John Walsh in 1732. It contains a set of twelve sonatas, for various instruments, composed by George Frideric Handel...
and the Chrysander edition
XV Handel solo sonatas (Chrysander)
XV Solos for a German Flute, Hoboy, or Violin with a Thorough Bass for the Harpsichord or Bass Violin was published by Friedrich Chrysander in 1879. The 72 page volume contains sonatas, for various instruments, composed by George Frideric Handel. The words on the cover of the publication are:...
indicate that the work is for oboe, and published it as Sonata VI. It is not known whether Handel sanctioned the change of instrument, however the fact that the piece contains notes beyond the range of the oboe would suggest that he did not. Handel's original manuscript indicates that the sonata would be suitable "per la Viola da Gamba"—and the version of the work for that instrument is designated as HWV 364b.
A typical performance of the work takes just over 7 minutes.
Movements
The work consists of four movementsMovement (music)
A movement is a self-contained part of a musical composition or musical form. While individual or selected movements from a composition are sometimes performed separately, a performance of the complete work requires all the movements to be performed in succession...
:
| Movement | Type | Key signature | Time signature | Bars | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Larghetto | G minor | 4/4 | 17 | Concludes with a brief adagio and a D major chord. |
| 2 | Allegro | G minor | 4/4 | 45 | |
| 3 | Adagio | E flat major | 3/4 | 11 | Concludes with a D major chord. |
| 4 | Allegro | G minor | 12/8 | 30 | Two sections (10 and 20 bars)—each with repeat markings. Begins in G minor, but quickly adds flecks of colour from other keys. |
(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
- List of solo sonatas by George Frideric Handel
- XV Handel solo sonatasXV Handel solo sonatas (Chrysander)XV Solos for a German Flute, Hoboy, or Violin with a Thorough Bass for the Harpsichord or Bass Violin was published by Friedrich Chrysander in 1879. The 72 page volume contains sonatas, for various instruments, composed by George Frideric Handel. The words on the cover of the publication are:...
(publication by Chrysander) - Handel solo sonatasHandel solo sonatas (Walsh)Solos for a German Flute a Hoboy or Violin with a Thorough Bass for the Harpsichord or Bass Violin Compos'd by Mr. Handel was published by John Walsh in 1732. It contains a set of twelve sonatas, for various instruments, composed by George Frideric Handel...
(publication by Walsh)