Piano Suites and Piano Pieces (London 1733)

“His things for clavier are incomparable, and almost indispensable to those familiar with the keyboard”, was the judgment of music theorist Johann Anton Scheibe in 1743 when discussing George Frideric Handel’s keyboard music. By making use of the Baroque master’s second printed collection of keyboard suites and single pieces of 1733, the interested pianist can paint a colourful picture. Among pieces entitled “Sonata”, “Suite”, “Prélude” or “Chaconne” within HWV 434–442 is to be found the well-known “Chaconne in G major” with its 21 variations, a work still performed in concert halls today. The player will also discover here the Aria with five graceful and playful variations that were made famous through Johannes Brahms’ own variation set. Since the collection was published in London and Amsterdam without Handel’s consent, and in a print that included many mistakes, an Urtext edition is vital for creating a reliable text. Klaus Schilde’s restrained fingerings will help overcome many problems, and open up some surprising perspectives.