The Handel A Minor HWV 362, is one of his most beautiful. Originally written for recorder and cembalo in 1720.
Every movement is expressive and virtuosic in its own way. There is something deeply sad and moving about A minor, it is one of my favourite keys to be in.

The Sonata in A minor (HWV 362) was composed by George Frideric Handel for recorder and cembalo 1720. The work is also referred to as Opus 1 No. 4, and was first published in 1732 by Walsh. There is a long history with early publications of Handel sonatas between Walsh and Roger’s as to their accuracy. It is quiet a saga. I am playing a Barenreiter edition.
There are 14 authentic sonatas attributed to Handel.

• HWV 357 in B flat major for oboe
• HWV 358 in G major for violin
• HWV 359a in D minor for violin
• HWV 360 in G minor for recorder
• HWV 361 in A major for violin
• HWV 362 in A minor for recorder
• HWV 364a in G minor for violin
• HWV 365 in C major for recorder
• HWV 366 in C minor for oboe
• HWV 367a in D minor for recorder
• HWV 369 in F major for recorder
• HWV 371 in D major for violin
• HWV 377 in B flat major for recorder
• HWV 379 in E minor for flute

Two other solo sonatas have been accepted as genuine works by Handel, although their original manuscripts have not been found. One of these sonatas was published in Handel’s lifetime as HWV 363b in G major for the flute, but almost all other contemporary sources have the work in F major as HWV 363a, probably for oboe, and this is thought to have been its original form. The remaining sonata, HWV 378 in D major for flute, was never published in Handel’s lifetime. Its only source is a manuscript copy from the eighteenth century, attributed to Weiss, which was recognised as a work by Handel in 1981.
The HWV362 in A minor has it all.

• A lyrical Aria type first movement,
• A continuo part that is virtuosic in the second movement which really brings great life and musicality to the movement.
• The Adagio third movement is again a vocal lyrical melody with wonderful expression.
• The fourth movement Allegro is virtuosic in both voices exploring the conversation and relationship between both parts.

Michala Petri, Some nice ornamentation to think about.

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