Flute sonata in E minor (HWV 379)
# Flute sonata in E minor (HWV 379)

The Flute sonata in E minor (HWV 379) was composed (circa 1727-28) by George Frideric Handel for flute and basso continuo. The work is also referred to as Opus 1 No. 1a, and was first published in 1879 by Chrysander. Other catalogues of Handel's music have referred to the work as HG xxvii,2; and HHA iv/3,2.

The work is the only sonata that survives as a flute sonata in Handel's own manuscript.

Of the two sonatas published in the Chrysander edition as Opus 1 Sonata I, this one (Sonata $I^a)$ is not in the Walsh edition. Therefore, (although the work's authenticity remains unquestioned), this sonata is not strictly part of Handel's "Opus 1". Chrysander's Sonata $I^a$ and Sonata $I^b$ have their first and fourth movements in common.

A typical performance of the work takes about 13 minutes.

## Movements

The work consists of five movements:

| Movement | Type | Key signature | Time signature | Bars | Notes |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Larghetto | E minor | $^4$ $_4$ | 21 | In common with the first movement of the flute sonata in E minor (HWV 359b). Ends with a brief adagio. |
| 2 | Andante | E minor | $^3$ $_4$ | 60 | Two sections (30 and 30 bars)—each with repeat markings. Begins the same way as Halle sonata no. 2. |
| 3 | Largo | G major | $^4$ $_4$ | 21 | The beginning is famous from its much later use in the violin sonata in D major (HWV 371). The opening bars are also shared with the adagio first movement of the flute sonata in D major (HWV 378). Concludes on a B major chord. |
| 4 | Allegro | E minor | $^3$ $_8$ | 75 | Two sections (31 and 44 bars)—each with repeat markings. Passepied-like in a brisk tempo. In common with the fourth movement of the flute sonata in E minor (HWV 359b). |
| 5 | Presto | E minor | $^4$ $_4$ | 33 | Two sections (13 and 20 bars)—each with repeat markings. Uses a favourite theme of Handel's. |

(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.)

