HERCULES - March - MVSR5324 | Music

The oratorio »Hercules« was composed in 1745. It is one of Handel's most mature late works. The original score envisages two solo trumpets for the "march" together with the obligatory timpani, accompanied by strings and basso continuo. A trio of two oboes and bassoon plays colla parte (accommodating the principal voices) with the strings. The key is of D major, which is common in festive baroque music. In the arrangement for winds, the key of Bb major was chosen, based on the natural tones of today's Bb trumpet. Handel's original writing has been retained as far as possible, particularly as regards the two melody parts and the bassline. Due to the necessary restriction of the trumpet parts to the natural tones, there were sometimes discrepancies in the original between the trumpet and string parts, as well as some vocal progressions that were frowned upon in the strict setting. These were silently and reverently corrected. In accordance with today's performance practice, it seemed advisable to the arranger not to let the piece begin with the piano and to instrument the formal parts in a somewhat more varied way. The tempo is such that the impression of haste cannot arise and the smaller note values come into their own. Particular attention should be paid to the exact execution of the dotted rhythms.