Flute sonata in D major (HWV 378)

The Flute sonata in D major (HWV 378) was composed (?circa 1707) by George Frideric Handel, for flute and basso continuo. The work is also referred to as HHA iv/18,41.

The work was originally attributed to 'Sr Weisse' (?Johann Sigismund Weiss), but is now considered to have been written by Handel.[1] There is no autograph, but the sonata appears in an important manuscript of 18th century solo sonatas in the Brussels Royal Conservatory, and was published in facsimile in 1979.

A typical performance of the work takes about seven minutes.[citation needed]

Movements

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The work consists of four movements:

Movement Type Notes
1 Adagio The poetic opening bars are shared with the largo third movement of the flute sonata in E minor (HWV 379), and with a movement from the violin sonata in D major (HWV 371). The continuation here is closer to the violin sonata
2 Allegro In a 3
8
spirited tempo. Based on ideas that Handel used in an overture written in Italy and a trio sonata
3 Adagio A recitative-like piece
4 Allegro Begins similarly to one of Handel's recorder sonata finales. In jig rhythm

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Hicks, Anthony (2001). "Handel, George Frideric". In Sadie, Stanley; Tyrrell, John (eds.). The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. Vol. x (2nd ed.). London: Macmillan. p. 801.