• Learn the opening Larghetto movement
• Apply Baroque ornamentation principles
• Understand affekt and rhetoric in Baroque music
• Prepare for continuo collaboration

Introduction

Congratulations on reaching advanced level! You're now ready for the crown jewel of recorder repertoire: Handel's Sonata in G minor. This is one of the most beloved works in the recorder canon.

About This Sonata

Composed around 1724, this sonata showcases the recorder at its expressive peak. The opening Larghetto is a slow, singing movement requiring mature tone control and ornamentation skill.

Historical Performance Practice

• Affect: The G minor key suggests noble melancholy. Play with dignity and depth.
• Ornamentation: The written notes are a framework. Add tasteful ornaments at cadences and sustained notes.
• Tempo: "Larghetto" means "somewhat broadly"—slower than Andante but not dragging. Around 50-60 BPM.
• Inégalité: Consider subtly lengthening some eighth notes in stepwise motion (French Baroque practice)

Ornamentation Choices

At each fermata and cadence, add appropriate ornaments:

• Trills with terminations on longer notes
• Appoggiaturas approaching cadences from above or below
• Mordents for rhythmic sparkle
• Messa di voce (crescendo-decrescendo) on sustained notes

Technical Challenges

• Breath control: Long phrases require excellent breath management
• Intonation: Slow music exposes intonation problems—tune carefully
• Vibrato: Use sparingly and tastefully, primarily at phrase endings
• Dynamics: Create terraced dynamics through articulation and breath, not just volume

Practice Strategy

1. Week 1: Learn notes and rhythms accurately. No ornamentation yet.
2. Week 2: Add basic ornaments. Work on breath management.
3. Week 3: Refine interpretation. Practice with continuo if available.

Recommended Recordings

• Michala Petri - Classic interpretation with excellent ornamentation
• Dan Laurin - HIP (Historically Informed Performance) approach
• Frans Brüggen - Pioneering historical performance