Händel, Georg Friedrich : Suite Courante HWV 448
Work Overview
Genre:courante
Total Playing Time:2 min 10 sec
Copyright:Public Domain
Commentary (1)
Author : Ooi, Kazurou
Last Updated: September 16, 2024
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Author : Ooi, Kazurou
This Courante is primarily in two voices. Ideally, it should be performed at a brisk tempo; slowing down the tempo significantly diminishes the character of the piece. While a fast tempo is desirable, articulation also constitutes a crucial element.
Quarter notes notated in the left hand are generally best executed staccato. For instance, if the quarter notes on the third beat in measures 1-8 are played legato or tenuto, the piece itself loses its conciseness and becomes protracted.
Throughout the piece, this Courante modulates from D minor to F major and A minor in the first half, and then to G minor and D minor in the second half. By treating each key as a distinct section and varying the timbre and dynamics accordingly, the piece gains expressive depth.
Measure 22 can be regarded as a peak point in the first half, and measures 39 or 45 in the second half.