Suite in G minor

At a glance

• What it isthe third piece of Suite No. 7 in G minor, from a collection of eight keyboard suites. It is a quick Allegro.
• Who, when, whyHandel published the collection in London in 1720, at thirty-five. It was written for harpsichord; the Pyeongeum recording is played on piano.
• What to listen forthe right and left hands taking turns with the same figure.

Listen for

• Setting offone hand brings out a quick figure and the other soon takes it up and carries on.
• Tradingthe two hands cross above and below, moving the same pattern through several keys. Follow one hand alone and you will hear when the other cuts in.
• The endthe short piece returns to G minor and ends firmly.

When it was written

Around 1720 Handel began directing Italian opera productions for the Royal Academy of Music in London. His keyboard music was popular among players, and copies made without his permission were being sold. Handel tried to put this right by issuing an edition he had chosen himself.

Suite No. 7 begins with a French overture, passes through several dances and ends with a passacaille that builds variations over a repeating bass. This Allegro is one short, quick piece among them.