Handel, Sonata in A minor, for Clarinet Duet, HWV 374 by George Frideric Handel Clarinet Duet - Digital Sheet Music

Handel’s Sonata in A minor, (HWV 374), arranged for Clarinet Duet.

Handel’s Sonata in A minor, (HWV 374), arranged for Clarinet Duet.This beautiful sonata contains all that is best about G.F. Handel, two tender adagio movements balanced by two invigorating allegros. All are imbued with melody, poise and Handel’s mastery of harmony and structure. The original key is A minor, and this key is retained for the clarinet arrangement, so the sonata will sound one tone lower than the original. Ornaments are left to the players’ discretion but there are a few dynamic and articulation suggestions. It is uncertain for which instrument Handel wrote this sonata. It is usually played on flute these days, though I’m sure Handel would have written for clarinet were it available to him in his time. Total performance time is approximately twelve minutes with repeats, seven without. Music teachers will find this duet especially useful as a fun way to explore ornamentation and baroque technique in general, with some challenging passages in the allegros, and sensitivity required in the adagios. The standard is for advanced intermediate players and above.Click the YouTube link to hear and see a complete performance of this arrangement on clarinet.