Hornpipe and Minuet from 'Water Music'
Music in the Baroque Era
Handel (1687-1759)
Water music, a collection of 3 Suites, was composed by George Frideric Handel in 1717 (18th Century) after King George I had requested a concert on the River Thames. The concert was performed by 50 musicians playing on
a barge. This was a very large group of musicians for the 18th Century, necessary as it was for an outdoor performance. Nowadays it would usually be performed by a smaller group including a flute, two oboes, one bassoon, two horns,
two trumpets, strings, and continuo.
Although a German, Handel took up permanent residence in England in 1712. The period from 1600 to 1750 has become known as the Baroque era.
A Suite is a collection of contrasting dances. The 2 dance movements we have to know are the Hornpipe and the Minuet from the 1st Suite.
a barge. This was a very large group of musicians for the 18th Century, necessary as it was for an outdoor performance. Nowadays it would usually be performed by a smaller group including a flute, two oboes, one bassoon, two horns,
two trumpets, strings, and continuo.
Although a German, Handel took up permanent residence in England in 1712. The period from 1600 to 1750 has become known as the Baroque era.
A Suite is a collection of contrasting dances. The 2 dance movements we have to know are the Hornpipe and the Minuet from the 1st Suite.
There are 11 movements (sections) in Suite no. 1, one of which is the Hornpipe, another the Minuet. The various dances in a suite were arranged for reasons of contrast.
A hornpipe is a lively dance in Triple time (with a metre of 3).
The time signature is 3/4.
The tempo is lively.
The mood is lively
The form is ABA (Ternary form)
Notice especially how the Trumpets alternate with the Horns and the rest of the orchestra join in and drop out. The keyboard instrument is a Harpsichord
A Minuet is also a dance with a metre of 3, but the tempo is moderate. The form of this Minuet in AB or Binary form.
A hornpipe is a lively dance in Triple time (with a metre of 3).
The time signature is 3/4.
The tempo is lively.
The mood is lively
The form is ABA (Ternary form)
Notice especially how the Trumpets alternate with the Horns and the rest of the orchestra join in and drop out. The keyboard instrument is a Harpsichord
A Minuet is also a dance with a metre of 3, but the tempo is moderate. The form of this Minuet in AB or Binary form.