Music for Recorder and Continuo

For illuminating comments on Handel editions, by Alan Davis, please click here.

The D minor sonata HWV 367a (in the TG Grade VIII list) that is included in the above volume is the 'flute' sonata Op.1/9 but in D minor not B minor. This D minor 'Fitzwilliam Sonata' is also in Schott ED 10062, Faber 50566X and Barenreiter HM 269 (which has the same realisation as in BA 4259, but with the bass line printed along with the solo recorder). It seems that the better known B minor version was an opportunist transcription, by Walsh, for the newly popular 'German' or transverse flute. The original (recorder) version was not published in Handel's lifetime.

The Bb major sonata HWV 377 (in the ABRSM Grade VI list) is a 'proper' recorder sonata and is included in 'complete' editions of Handel recorder sonatas.

The above eleven sonatas are Op.1 nos, 1a, 1b, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9 (in B minor - see above) and 11, together with the three 'Hallé' sonatas. The original flute or recorder instrumentation is indicated.

Note. Telemann Sonatas for Recorder and Continuo.

There are four sonatas from "Der getreue Musikmeister", and two from the "Essercizii Musici" collections. In addition there is a lone sonata in F minor. All these sonatas are printed together in the E.M.B. edition and the LPM edition, which also includes the two "new sonatinas".

Only the Schott editions of Sonata No.2 from "Der getreue Musikmeister" have it tranposed from Bb to C. Apart from this the various editions are equivalent, and differ only in editorial practice. (However, the Peters P 4550 and P 4551 include parts for "Blockflote in F" which would make good firelighters.)

The sonata numbers that feature in the books relate only to each book. To be sure of the identity of a particular sonata you must work by the TWV numbers or compare the music with a known edition. I have added TWV numbers as I have become aware of them. The TWV numbering is based on German, and upper case is major, lower case is minor. So, B stands for B flat major and h for B minor. Please quote the complete reference when using this system to identify a work by Telemann.

The twelve "Sonate Metodiche", transcriptions of works for flute and violin, and the two (new) sonatinas are separate from all other groups of sonatas.

For more detailed comments click here.

Editions that have 'Flute' or 'Piccolo' on the cover and title page should not be regarded as problematic. In some cases they are the only edition available and are often an economic choice.

Note, regarding Vivaldi concertos.

Some editors think that the concertos for "flautino", as we know them, were not intended to be played on sopraninos at very high pitch. Editions that have 'Flute' or 'Piccolo' on the cover and title page should not be regarded as problematic. In some cases they are the only edition available and are often an economic choice.

New, transposed, editions are becoming available for descant recorder. At the lower pitch these pieces may be played on other instruments.

The recorder part in these new editions is notated so that the fingerings are the same as had been used on the sopranino, and the work sounds a fourth lower than the original.

There is no absolute need to buy practice copies of these new versions. Just play your old version on a soprano, but using alto fingering.

Confused? I am too! These comments have been re-worked, 28 Feb. 2007.

For more detailed comments on the transposition issue, with additions, 25 July 2007, click here.

I have just (8th.Oct. 2010) reworked my Vivaldi listing. The concertos still come first, but they are now in RV number order. There have been many other formatting changes as well so that more information is presented and, I hope, presented more clearly.