Baroque · 1717
Water Music — 'Alla Hornpipe'
G. F. HandelHWV 349 (Suite in D)
- Key
- D
- Time
- 3/2
- Tempo
- ♩=70
- AO focus
- AO3
Incipit
Form
Hornpipe — second movement of Handel's Suite in D from the Water Music. Trumpet and horn fanfares alternate with strings; ternary form ABA.
Teaching points
- Hornpipe = English sailor's dance in 3/2 with characteristic dotted-rhythm pulse
- Brass writing — natural trumpets and horns of the Baroque had no valves; Handel composes around the harmonic series, which dictates the D major key
- AO1: brass-heavy ensemble showpiece — schools with a brass band can stage this
- AO3: original context — the music was performed on barges floating down the Thames at George I's request
Full score ↓Public domain
Score: IMSLP (Chrysander + later urtext editions, all public domain).