Georg Friedrich Händel ： Sarabande in d-moll

Händel’s Sarabande in D minor is marked by a measured triple-meter pulse and weighty, restrained harmonies. A simple melody unfolds over chordal support, while the structure, in which two sections are each repeated, allows the same material to gain expressive depth through changes of key and sonority. In performance, it is important not to hurry the pulse and to keep the dotted rhythms poised and precise. Let the melody sing while keeping the inner voices and bass clear, and incorporate the ornaments naturally into the flow to create a sound of dignity.