Flute sonata in E minor (HWV 379)

The Flute sonata in E minor (HWV 379) was composed (circa 1727-28) by George Frideric Handel for flute and basso continuo. The work is also referred to as Opus 1 No. 1a, and was first published in 1879 by Chrysander. Other catalogues of Handel's music have referred to the work as HG xxvii,2; and HHA iv/3,2.^[1]

The work is the only sonata that survives as a flute sonata in Handel's own manuscript.

Of the two sonatas published in the Chrysander edition as Opus 1 Sonata I, this one (Sonata I^a) is not in the Walsh edition. Therefore, (although the work's authenticity remains unquestioned), this sonata is not strictly part of Handel's "Opus 1". Chrysander's Sonata I^a and Sonata I^b have their first and fourth movements in common.

A typical performance of the work takes about 13 minutes.

^ Hicks, Anthony (2001). "Handel, George Frideric". In Sadie, Stanley; Tyrrell, John (eds.). The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. Vol. x (2nd ed.). London: Macmillan. p. 801.

[1] Hicks, Anthony (2001). "Handel, George Frideric". In Sadie, Stanley; Tyrrell, John (eds.). The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. Vol. x (2nd ed.). London: Macmillan. p. 801.

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