George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)

Nationality: German | English

Born: February 23, 1685, Halle Died: April 14, 1759, London (age 74)

wikipedia | imslp

Sonata in e minor, Op. 5, No. 3, HWV. 398

(for 2 violins and continuo)

		I.	Andante larghetto - Adagio
		II.	Allegro
		III.	Sarabande. Largo assai
		IV.	Allemande. Andante allegro
		V.	Rondeau
		VI.	Gavotte. Allegro

Duration: 10 minutes (approximately)

Published: c. 1739 (age 53-54)

Related Composers

Johann Mattheson (1681-1764)

Friend/Colleague

Nationality: German

Born: September 28, 1681, Hamburg Died: April 17, 1764, Hamburg (age 82)

glossary

adagio [It]—slow tempo, often implying a lyrical, poignant character
allegro [I]—fast, lively tempo. From the Italian word for cheerful or gay.
allemande, allemanda, allemand, almain, almaine, alman—In the Renaissance/Baroque eras, a moderately slow, serious dance usually in duple meter and binary form. Often the first movement of suite. From the French word for "German." Later usage (e.g. Haydn, etc.) might suggest more generally "in a German style", e.g. a folk dance, perhaps even lively and in a triple meter like a Ländler.
andante [I]—moderately slow tempo (e.g. walking). Faster than adagio but slower than allegretto
assai—very much. Intensifies the direction of its neighboring words, e.g. "allegro assai", very fast
chamber music, Kammermusik [G], musique de chambre [F], musica da camera [I], musica cameralis [L]—"Classical Music" for a small ensemble, generally 8 or fewer players with a canonical emphasis on 3-6 players. explore
continuo, basso continuo, b.c., figured bass, thorough bass, basse chifrée—During the Baroque Era, a term for an improvised (realized) instrumental accompaniment specified by a symbolic notation for chords and a written bass line (i.e. figured bass). A continuo "part" usually implies multiple (but typically unspecified) instruments, e.g. one for a strong bass line (e.g. cello) and another for chords (e.g. lute, keyboard, organ). A continuo part may be realized by keyboard alone, and sometimes played by a bass melody instrument alone (without harmonies). wiki
gavotte, gavotta—Originally a French folk dance that became a courtly dance with Louis XIV and subsequently used in Baroque suites. Moderate tempo in duple rhythm often beginning on an upbeat in a pick-up measure.
larghetto—slow, but a bit faster than largo
largo—slow, solemn, sustained.slower than lento. faster than grave
opus [L], opera[pl], Op., Opp, WoO, Op. posth—work, as in a work of art. For unique identification, publishers/composers often assign an "opus number", abbreviated as "Op." (e.g. Op. 1). A range of works by opus number, uses the plural "opp." (e.g. "Opp. 1-3"). A single opus number may refer to a collection of works (e.g. a set of quartets) giving rise to designations like "Op. 1, No. 4". For misc. works without opus numbers, "WoO" is often used (e.g."Without Opus"). Posthumously assigned numbers may use "Op. posth". Opus numbers may not precisely reflect chronology (publication vs. composition), can be erroneous, sparse or duplicative. Thus, the works of some historically important composers may use separate catalog numbers (e.g. Bach, Haydn, Schubert). See wiki
rondeau, rondeaux—An early Baroque instrumental form featuring a recurring refrain interspersed with contrasting couplets or episodes. Eventually transformed into the Rondo of the classical period.
sarabande, saraband, sarabanda—A Spanish Renaissance / Baroque dance in triple meter. In France and Germany, it tended to be slow and stately.
sonata, sonate, suonato—a complicated term. Originally, "sounded" rather than "sung" (sonar vs. cantar), e.g. instrumental music. According to historical period, sonata began to imply a formal plan of movements as well as the structure within a single movement, e.g. sonata form. In general usage as a work title, it designates a multi-movement piece for solo or duo instruments with one of the instruments enjoying a feature role.
trio sonata, sonate en trio, sonata a tre—one of the chief forms of chamber music in the Baroque era. Trio indicates three components: 2 soloists and continuo (accompaniment). Typically comprises four movements in one of many specific plans.