Recorder Sonata in F major, IGS 41 - Complete

Master Sammartini's virtuosic Italian style
Execute brilliant technical passages with musical elegance
Develop F major's pastoral warmth with Italian flair
Perfect galant style and pre-Classical elements

About This Piece

Composer: Giuseppe Sammartini (1695-1750)

Difficulty: Advanced (Highly Virtuosic!)

Key: F major

Style: Late Baroque with galant and pre-Classical elements

Movements: I. Andante - II. Allegro - III. Siciliana - IV. Allegro assai

I. Andante - Elegant Opening

Elegant, singing quality with modern sensibility. Tempo: ♩ = 69-76

II. Allegro - Brilliant Virtuosity

Virtuosic passage work demanding flawless technique. Tempo: ♩ = 120-132

III. Siciliana - Pastoral Beauty

Beautiful Siciliana with Italian vocal quality. Tempo: ♩. = 56-63

IV. Allegro assai - Virtuosic Finale

Very fast, brilliant finale - extreme virtuosity required! Tempo: ♩ = 138-152

Performance Practice

Giuseppe Sammartini was one of the greatest recorder virtuosos of the 18th century. His sonatas represent the pinnacle of late Baroque recorder writing - they combine Italian virtuosity with emerging galant style sensibilities. This F major sonata is among his most brilliant works, demanding absolute technical mastery. The "Allegro assai" finale is one of the most challenging movements in the entire recorder repertoire.

Performance Goal: This sonata represents ultimate Italian Baroque virtuosity. Your performance must demonstrate complete technical mastery, beautiful cantabile, and stylistic sophistication. Sammartini's works are the "Paganini" of recorder repertoire - they define virtuosity. Essential for competitions, graduate recitals, and professional concerts.

Practice Strategy

CRITICAL: Allegro assai must be practiced at half-tempo initially
Build speed gradually over weeks - this is extreme virtuosity
Focus on clarity and evenness - speed without clarity is meaningless
Study Italian galant style - Sammartini bridges Baroque and Classical
Listen to recordings by virtuoso players: Michala Petri, Dan Laurin
This sonata demonstrates why Sammartini was legendary as a virtuoso