The Flute sonata in E minor (HWV 359b) was composed (c. 1724) by George Frideric Handel for flute and basso continuo. The work is also referred to as Opus 1 No. 1b, and was first published in 1732 by Walsh. Other catalogues of Handel's music have referred to the work as HG xxvii,6; and HHA iv/3,10.
The sonata was originally composed as a violin sonata in D minor (HWV 359a).[1]
Of the two sonatas in the Chrysander edition as Opus 1 Sonata I, this one (Sonata Ib) is the one in the Walsh edition (where it is called Sonata I). Chrysander's Sonata Ia was compiled from manuscript sources. Chrysander's Sonata Ia and Sonata Ib have their first and fourth movements in common.
A typical performance of the work takes about seven minutes.
The work consists of four movements:
| Movement | Type | Key signature | Time signature | Bars | Click to Play | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grave | E minor | 20 | Al Goldstein on flute with Martha Goldstein on harpsichord (2:07): | In common with the first movement of the flute sonata in E minor (HWV 379). | |
| 2 | Allegro | E minor | 43 | Al Goldstein on flute with Martha Goldstein on harpsichord (1:42): | ||
| 3 | Adagio | G major | 12 | Al Goldstein on flute with Martha Goldstein on harpsichord (0:43): | Concludes on a B major chord. | |
| 4 | Allegro | E minor | 80 | Al Goldstein on flute with Martha Goldstein on harpsichord (2:15): | Two sections (31 and 49 bars)—each with repeat markings. In common with the fourth movement of the flute sonata in E minor (HWV 379). | |