Handel flute sonatas

Handel flute sonatas are Baroque pieces well known to flutists. George Frideric Handel wrote many sonatas during his prolific career. Like most composers of the Baroque era, Handel wrote pieces that could be played by any treble instrument, including flute, oboe, violin, or cello, so narrowing down which sonatas were specifically for the flute is difficult. In the end, it doesn't really matter, though. The sonatas are wonderful music and worthy of being played by any instrument.

Handel flute sonatas are a great choice for the flutist wishing to play Baroque flute music or wanting to jump into "real" flute literature. The Handel sonatas are fun and not too challenging technically. They are also quite versatile...

• Two contrasting movements from a single sonata can be excerpted for one solo instead of playing the entire sonata.
• One slow movement makes a nice church service prelude or solo.
• Several slow movements are lovely wedding prelude music.
• One of the lively movements is a great processional or recessional for a garden or home wedding.

My favorite...

The F Major Sonata. It's the one I teach most often and one of the first solos I suggest to a flutist who has developed their technique to the point that they can play more advanced repertoire.

The C Major Sonata is also quite nice. It's longer, so if a short solo is needed, use the first two movements instead of the entire sonata.

The Handel flute sonatas are sold as individual sonatas, but I recommend buying a collection because you get much more for your money. Collections include anywhere from six up to 11 sonatas, so I would purchase the book that gives you the most music. Then you can pick and choose from the bunch.

Seven Sonatas for Flute and Piano By George Frideric Handel (1685-1759), arranged by Louis Moyse. Set of performance parts for flute and piano. 66 pages. Published by G. Schirmer, Inc. (HL.50334450) See more info...

Eleven Sonatas For Flute And Basso Continuo By George Frideric Handel (1685-1759), edited by Hans-Peter Schmitz, Terence Best. 2 volume set for flute (alto recorder) and basso continuo. Urtext of the Halle Handel Edition. 132 pages. Published by Baerenreiter-Ausgaben (German import). (BA.BA4225) See more info...

HANDEL Six Sonatas for Flute and Piano: No. 1 in A major/No. 2 in G minor/No. 3 in F major/No. 4 in D major/No. 5 in A major/No. 6 in E major By George Frideric Handel. Accompaniment: Harriet Wingreen, piano. For flute or violin. Instrumental Solo Part and CD. Published by Music Minus One. (MMOCD3374) See more info...

Flute Sonatas (10) Complete in 3 volumes - Volume 1 Urtext Edition. By George Frideric Handel. Edited by Woehl. For Flute / Alto recorder / Violin, Piano / Harpsichord (Cello ad lib). Published by C.F. Peters. (P04554) See more info...

Flute Sonatas (10) Complete in 3 volumes - Volume 3 By George Frideric Handel. For CD (Piano accompaniment for Alto recorder). Play Along. CD/DVD. Published by Music Partner CD. (MP4552) See more info...

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