Recorder Sonata in G minor, HWV 360 - Movement 2 (Andante)
- Master expressive Andante tempo
- Develop sustained lyrical phrasing
- Execute G minor with two flats
- Perfect Handelian melodic ornamentation
About This Piece
Composer: George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
Difficulty: Late Intermediate
Notes Used: G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F, F#, G (high), A (high), Bb (high), C (high)
Key: G minor
Movement: II. Andante
Fingering Review
Complete Andante Movement
Handel's lyrical Andante with characteristic walking bass implications and singing melody.
Exploration of relative major (Bb) and return to G minor.
Handel's characteristic approach to the final cadence with expressive ornamentation.
Ornamentation Guide
Add messa di voce (swell), vibrato, and trills on long notes.
Master trills with F# in G minor context.
Technical Exercises
Master the scale with Bb, Eb, and F#.
Practice sustained phrases with proper breath support.
Performance Practice Notes
- Andante tempo: ♩ = 70, walking pace; maintain steady pulse
- Lyrical style: Sing through phrases; imagine vocal lines
- Ornamentation: Add freely but tastefully; don't obscure melody
- Dynamics: Gentle swells on long notes; subtle terraced dynamics
- Breathing: Plan breath marks that don't break musical phrases
Historical Context
The Andante from Handel's G minor Sonata, HWV 360, represents Baroque vocal-style instrumental writing at its finest. Handel's operatic background is evident in the singing quality of the melodic lines and the harmonic richness. G minor was associated with serious, earnest expression in Baroque aesthetics. This movement would have been heavily ornamented in performance, with players expected to add graces, trills, and other embellishments based on the harmonic and melodic structure. The walking-tempo Andante allows for expressive flexibility while maintaining forward motion - a balance that requires musical maturity to achieve effectively.
Performance Goal: Play this Andante with vocal beauty and expressive phrasing. Sustain long notes with beautiful tone quality and gentle dynamic variation. Add tasteful ornamentation that enhances rather than obscures Handel's elegant melodic line. This movement tests your ability to sustain musical interest in a slower tempo.
Practice Strategy
- Practice long tones with crescendo and diminuendo to develop tone control
- Sing the melody to internalize the phrasing before playing
- Record yourself to check tone quality and sustained notes
- Study the harmonic structure to understand where ornaments are appropriate
- Listen to Handel's vocal music (arias) to understand his melodic style
- Practice breathing exercises to support long phrases