Chamber Duets for Soprano and Alto

Handel Chamber Duets Soprano, Alto and Basso continuo

Urtext edition based on the “Halle Handel Edition”

Clear, idiomatic realisation of the continuo part

Includes a separate continuo part without realisation

By means of their high degree of consistency and maturity, Handel’s chamber duets constitute a highlight of this genre.

The six chamber duets for soprano and alto selected for this volume were written in 1710–12 in Hanover (HWV 178, 185, 197) and 1740–45 in London (HWV 181, 190, 186).  They are musically demanding and structured contrapuntally: the earlier works are stricter, more scholarly and more elaborate in terms of counterpoint but masterly in their craftsmanship.  The later ones are composed somewhat freer, but more compact.