PlayPiano
The short answer
Minuet in G minor, HWV 434/4 is a minuet by George Frideric Handel from the Baroque era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 4, an estimate.
- minuet
- Baroque
- gentle
Also known as Handel G.F. Menuet HWV 434 4.
History
This G-minor minuet is often printed alongside Handel's HWV 434 keyboard suite, but it probably began as an independent piece. The publisher John Walsh later attached it to the suite. So the familiar catalogue label HWV 434/4 is useful for finding it, while the music should not be presented as a movement Handel definitely planned for that suite.
Sources
What to listen for
The opening dance forms a phrase
Hear the opening contour as a connected dance phrase before its related answer.
A related phrase reaches Fine
The next phrase is related but reaches the Fine point. Hear its closing direction within the first span.
Paired gestures change the contour
The contrasting span uses paired gestures in a changed contour. Compare their direction with the opening.
How to practise it
Keep the dotted upper phrase clear above pulse and sustained bass.
- Distinguish dotted and shorter values.
- Preserve the long bass.
- Keep the supporting entries quiet.
How hard is it
A measured minuet requires steady rhythmic grouping, independently shaped melody and support and carefully controlled phrase endings.
About this piece
- Collection
- At the dance floor
- 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
- Passacaille, Suite No. 7, HWV 432Level 7, estimatedWith Maestro
