TheFlute sonata in E minor (HWV 359b) was composed (c. 1724) byGeorge Frideric Handel for flute andbasso continuo. The work is also referred to asOpus 1 No. 1b, and was first published in 1732 byWalsh. Other catalogues of Handel's music have referred to the work asHG xxvii,6; andHHA iv/3,10.
The sonata was originally composed as aviolin sonata in D minor (HWV 359a).[1]
Of the two sonatas in theChrysander edition asOpus 1 Sonata I, this one (Sonata Ib) is the one in theWalsh edition (where it is calledSonata I). Chrysander'sSonata Ia was compiled from manuscript sources. Chrysander'sSonata Ia andSonata Ib have their first and fourth movements in common.
A typical performance of the work takes about seven minutes.
The work consists of fourmovements:
| Movement | Type | Key signature | Time signature | Bars | Click to Play | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grave | E minor | 4 4 | 20 | Al Goldstein on flute withMartha Goldstein on harpsichord (2:07): | In common with the first movement of theflute sonata in E minor (HWV 379). |
| 2 | Allegro | E minor | 4 4 | 43 | Al Goldstein on flute with Martha Goldstein on harpsichord (1:42): | |
| 3 | Adagio | G major | 3 4 | 12 | Al Goldstein on flute with Martha Goldstein on harpsichord (0:43): | Concludes on a B major chord. |
| 4 | Allegro | E minor | 3 8 | 80 | Al Goldstein on flute with Martha Goldstein on harpsichord (2:15): | Two sections (31 and 49 bars)—each with repeat markings. In common with the fourth movement of the flute sonata in E minor (HWV 379). |
(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.)
