Sonata in F (Handel)

General Info

Composer: George Frideric Handel
Arranger: Brian Slawson
Publisher: Tapspace
Year of Published: 2009
Difficulty: Intermediate
Duration: 00:03:30
Cost: $20.00

Instrumentation

Player 1: Marimba / Xylophone / Vibraphone
Player 2: Piano

Description

The popular Allegro from Handel’s Sonata in F Major for violin has been performed for centuries on a variety of instruments. Although adapting the piece to marimba isn’t a new concept, the accompaniment part has proved to be one of the biggest challenges performers have faced. In addition to the solo part customized for marimba, Brian Slawson has created a well-stylized piano arrangement that isn’t clumsy under the fingers—something these figured bass transcriptions are infamous for. Ideally played on marimba with two mallets, the solo can also be played on vibraphone or xylophone while showcasing the intermediate performer's ability to interpret Baroque phrasings and style. As an etude or recital piece, Sonata in F will be a mainstay in any developing mallet player’s repertoire.

Review

Brian Slawson’s arrangement of the third movement (Allegro) of George Frideric Handel’s “Sonata in F” is scored for mallet solo with piano accompaniment. Due to the tessitura of the arrangement, it can be played on marimba, xylophone or vibraphone. The performer will need intermediate two-mallet facility to execute all of the passages and their respective dynamics.

Slawson has done an excellent job of providing stickings, rolls and dynamics, maintaining the original identity of the composition throughout. The performer’s greatest difficulty will be the mastery of subito dynamic shifts on weak beats. This arrangement will serve as a great introduction to playing with an accompanist for the young mallet player.

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