The Oboe sonata in F major (HWV 363a) was composed (1711–1716) by George Frideric Handel, for oboe and basso continuo. The work is also referred to as HHA iv/18,36.[1] (There is no HG designation for the work.)
The sonata was later reworked as a flute sonata in G major (HWV 363b).
A typical performance of the work takes about eight minutes.
The work consists of five movements:
Movement | Type | Notes |
---|---|---|
1 | Adagio | A typically airy Handelian adagio |
2 | Allegro | The theme is introduced by the oboe, but then joined by the keyboard in an exchange of little fanfare figures. Handel marks the climax of the movement by sending the oboe shooting up to its highest note possible at the time |
3 | Adagio | More plaintive than the first adagio movement |
4 | Bourrée | A perky dance that looks ahead to the second section of "The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba" |
5 | Minuet | The minuet is marked by little upward melodic skips |