Adagio and Allegro

Adagio and Allegro by George Frideric Handel arranged for Any Saxophone Solo with Piano. This is one of may instrumental sonatas written by Handel. It was published in 1732. Modern scholars dispute whether he actually wrote it. In his time, Handel’s music was so popular that many fakes and spurious works were attributed to him. All dynamics and articulations in this arrangement are editorial. None were included in the original composition. If you wish to follow historically informed performance practice, please do so. The adagio, movement 1, is in slow 3/4 time throughout. It is quite slow: around 48 – 52 beats per minute. It is approximately 1.5 minutes in length. The second movement allegro is in common time throughout. The tempo is fast but not too fast – around 98 – 112 beats per minute. At 102 bpm, taking all repeats, it is 2 minutes in duration. Both movements have been transposed to the key of A flat to accommodate the saxophone range. It is a good introduction to Baroque music for young players. Rising intermediate players may find it a bit challenging but should still find success with it.