Recorder Sonata in B-flat Major, HWV 377 — Allegro

• Play a Handel Allegro at moderate tempo with clear articulation.
• Navigate B-flat and E-flat as keysig pitches, with stepwise context.
• Maintain pulse over running eighth-note figuration.

About This Piece

Composer: George Frideric Handel (1685–1759)

Difficulty: Early Intermediate

Notes Used: C, D, E-flat, F, G, A, B-flat, C (high), D (high), F (high)

Time Signature: 4/4

Key: B-flat Major

Opening Allegro (Simplified)

Practice Tips

• Tempo: Quarter = 90 (slower than performance speed for early intermediate). Build up gradually.
• Articulation: Single-tongue the eighths in pairs — du-gu works well.
• B-flat fingering: The cross-fingering must feel automatic for this piece to work; practise the B-flat scale in isolation first.
• E-flat: Less common than B-flat in your fingerings — double-check before the first run.

Practice Exercises

Historical Context

HWV 377 is the “Fitzwilliam” sonata in B-flat major, named for the manuscript collection where it survives. The Allegro is the second movement of a three-movement sonata. B-flat major is a slightly less common recorder key than the others in the canon — the cross-fingerings sit slightly less comfortably — but the piece is musically rich and well worth learning.

Performance Goal: Clean eighth-note motion at a steady tempo, with audible pulse across the running figuration.

Next Steps

• Try the same Allegro at a faster tempo (quarter = 110).
• Look up the full HWV 377 score — the other movements are equally rewarding.
• Compare with the HWV 360 G minor sonata's fast movement — same composer, contrasting keys.