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The short answer
Passacaille, Suite No. 7, HWV 432 is a piece by George Frideric Handel from the Baroque era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 7, an estimate.
- suite
- Baroque
- dancing
- grand
- hand independence
- octaves
- voicing
Also known as HWV 432, movement 6; Handel - Passacaille Suite 7 - HWV 432; Passacaille: Keyboard Suite No. 7, HWV 432.
History
Handel's G-minor Passacaille is the sixth and final movement of his keyboard Suite HWV 432, printed in the first set of suites in 1720. It is a harpsichord-era keyboard work; a piano performance of its notes is not the later Handel, Halvorsen string duet.
Sources
What to listen for
Long and short notes together
Two upper voices share a dotted long-short rhythm above broader lower harmonies. Listen for the rhythmic shape without making the short notes heavy.
The shape continues
The dotted rhythm continues as the upper pitches change and the lower harmony moves. Hear continuity in the rhythm alongside change in the harmony.
An inner chromatic colour
The upper dotted pattern continues while an inner F-sharp moves toward G. Listen to the inner strand as well as the top line.
A settling phrase
The top line moves through shorter B-flat and A notes to a longer G, while the bass moves from D toward G. Hear the phrase settle rather than stopping each voice separately.
How to practise it
Keep the dotted upper layers coordinated above longer lower support.
- Distinguish dotted and short notes.
- Keep the two upper layers coordinated.
- Preserve the longer lower support.
How hard is it
The retained native bars include two moving upper voices, longer lower support, octave events and changes of texture. The upper-intermediate target values clarity and coordination through the complete acquired component.
About this piece
- Licence
- CC0
- Source
- musescore.com
More by George Frideric Handel
- Sonatina in B-flat major, HWV 585Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
- Sarabande in D minor: source piano editionLevel 4, estimatedWith Maestro
