Description
Quick right-hand figures over a moving bass, and contrasts like those between full ensemble and solo passages, make this G major Concerto sound like concerto writing transferred onto a single keyboard. It is a reminder that players of the time enjoyed reproducing ensemble music on their own. Among the Aylesford Pieces, named after the Earls of Aylesford whose family kept the manuscripts, it is one of the busiest and liveliest.
It is in 4/4 and lasts only about a minute and a half, but contains over 760 notes, more than eight per second. The right hand has about 1.6 times as many notes as the left, and the material of the two hands is kept clearly apart.
It is rated intermediate. Evening out the fast figuration is the first task, so slow the playback to settle the right-hand fingering, then raise the speed section by section with the A-B loop. Use the hand colours to check the left-hand bass line as well. The range runs from D1 to D6; the lowest note in the data is quite low, and a 61-key keyboard is not enough.
A collection of keyboard suites by Handel built mainly around dance movements such as allemandes and gavottes, with lively ornamented melodies and Baroque contrapuntal writing. It suits intermediate-to-advanced players who want to explore Baroque stylistic performance.
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Sheet music provided by Mutopia Project
About the Composer
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
George Frideric Handel was a Baroque composer born in Halle, Germany, who later became a naturalized British citizen. Celebrated for the oratorio Messiah and his Italian-style operas, he also composed many keyboard suites and sonatas. Often mentioned alongside his contemporary Bach, his music is marked by accessible melody and stately grandeur. This site includes suite movements, minuets, and pieces from the Aylesford Pieces.
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