Handel Air from Water Music Suite #1
Handel's Water Music is not music about water, but rather is music to be played on the water. It is a perfect example of royal excess. King George I wanted to listen to music while traveling down the Thames River in 1717. So Handel wrote three musical suites for the occasion, with a total of 21 movements. As King George floated down the river on his personal barge, 50 musicians followed him on a separate barge and serenaded him for over 4 hours. This Air is from the first suite.
This composition can be played by 2 different combinations of instruments.
A few notes on the parts and instruments:
- The standard ("std") parts are the original parts and are designed to be played together.
- The alternate "a" parts, if present, are raised one octave (8va) and can be substituted for a standard part to accommodate the higher instruments listed. They should work as long as they are above the other parts.
- The alternate "b" parts, if present, are lowered one octave (8vb) and can be substituted for a standard part to accommodate the lower instruments listed. They should work as long as they are below the other parts.
- For example, using parts 1, 2, and 3 together is definitely ok. Using parts 1a, 2, and 3b together is probably ok. Using parts 1b, 2, and 3a together might not work well.
- Part ranges are listed in concert key, where C4 is middle C.
When you purchase this composition, you will be taken to PayPal to submit your payment. As soon as you pay, you will be able to download all the PDF files immediately. You will have access to every part for each available instrument, in the proper key and clef. You will also get a complete score (in most cases, we include four separate scores with all parts transposed to C, Bb, Eb, and F).
You don't have to purchase each part separately; one single payment covers all the parts you need for the instruments in your ensemble.
Version v01
Buy Version v01 ($1.99)This version is a duet for violin and cello, with optional viola on the second part.
Composition: Handel Air from Water Music Suite #1
Version: v01
Instrumentation: Duet
Duration: 2 minutes
Difficulty: Challenging
Price: $1.99
| Handel Air from Water Music Suite #1, Version v01 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Part | Range | Available Instruments |
| Score | Full Score in C, Bb, Eb, and F | |
| Part 1 (std) | G3 - G5 | Violin |
| Part 2 (std) | C3 - D5 | Viola |
| Part 2b (8vb) | C2 - D4 | Cello |