Georg Frideric Handel
(1685-1759)
Three Exerpts from Collected Works
.
Arranged for Organ

Overture from The Royal Fireworks Suite
Sarabande & Two Variations from Keyboard Suite in D-Minor
The Entry of the Queen of Sheba from the Oratorio, Solomon, Act III

.
Click on the link below to download a PDF booklet
available 03/2025
.
   FMP3HandelExerptsArrOrgBklt2025  

Notes

Georg Frideric Handel was born in Halle in 1685 — sharing the same birth year as Johann Sebastian Bach and Domenico Scarlatti — and died in London in 1759. While Bach’s life was centered within a relatively tight geo-graphical region, Handel’s sphere of activity ranged south from Germany to Italy, and northwest to England, where he eventually settled in London. Handel won acclaim as a composer of church music, oratorios and operas, as well as works for various instrumental ensembles and for keyboard solo. In 1714, the Elector of Hannover, Handel's former employer, was crowned England's King George I; soon after, he was able to attract Handel into his royal services in London. The composer dwelt for much of his life at an address on London's Brook Street, outliving Bach by nine years.

The opening grave portion of the Overture from his well-known Fireworks Suite is presented with ornamenta-tions and double-dotted rhythmic values often characteristic of the French Baroque ouverture  style.

The Sarabande with two variations, from Handel's Keyboard Suite in D-Minor (HG II/ii/4), offers a contrast of key, mood and modality if performed between the Fireworks overture's grave introduction in D-Major and the lively Solomon sinfonia in B-flat Major. The solemn chordal progressions of the sarabande are heard in con-trasting dynamics, followed by the first variation, embellished as it is in gentle imitative filigree. The second variation introduces the flowing rhythm of a running bass line. The stately opening of the sarabande can be restated without repeats, if desired. Use of a detached pedal touch will subtly underline the left hand's bass line with a delicate pizzicato effect.

Handel’s spirited sinfonia, The Entry of  the Queen of Sheba, from  Act  III of  the oratorio Solomon, shares thematic roots with a Concerto in F-Major from the first set of Georg Philipp Telemann's Tafel-musik; not only was Handel acquainted with Telemann's music, he was also a subscriber to his publications. The sinfonia's transcription as offered here includes detailed suggestions for subtleties of articulation and touch.

♦ ◊ ♦