Handel: Arminio Overture

Description

FE80                                          0,2,0,[1] strings

[Largo]; Allegro

Arminio was first given at Covent Garden in January 1736, achieving 6 performances; it was never revived. Mrs. Pendarves (later Mrs. Delany) writes to her sister: ‘Mr. Handel has two new operas ready – Erminius and Justino. (sic) He was here two or three mornings ago and played to me both the overtures, which are charming.’ We might well agree. The opening of the ‘Ouverture’ a stark b minor, richly scored with 3 violin parts, followed by a severe and chromatic fugue with an arresting harmonic surprise before the final Lentement.  An attractive Menuet concludes the work. 

Full score                                             £6

Set of parts: wind and strings (43221)  £18

Extra string parts                                 £4

Handel Overtures Series:

Multi-buy option: any 4 scores for £20; any 4 sets of parts £50