Chromatic Harmonica Trio Baroque Book
For many years I’ve played recorder in a professional baroque ensemble. At harmonica festivals in Asia and the US I’ve been fortunate to share baroque recorder repertoire with some of the best chromatic players, for example the Judy Harmonica Ensemble in Taipei, shown here.
The baroque recorder blends well with chromatic harmonica, as their respective volume level are similar. The combined sound is beautiful and unique. As a resource for chromatic players I put together the Chromatic Harmonica Baroque Book in 2017, comprising baroque duets from some of the finest composers.
George Miklas encouraged me to gather a set of baroque trios for Chromatic players. After almost 10 years, here it is.
This collection comprises baroque trio sonatas, where two equal melody instruments are supported by a bass line. The interplay between the melody instruments is often exquisite, particularly from the great masters like Handel and Telemann. An ideal combination would be two chromatic harmonicas, with a bass harmonica on the bottom line.
The three octave chromatic, with middle C as the lowest note, captures the range of the baroque oboe, flute and alto recorder, whose lowest notes are C, D and F respectively. Hence baroque parts for these instruments can (in principle) be played on the three octave chromatic. The bass harmonica, with a range E2 to C5, will cover most baroque cello parts. The few notes which fall below the bass harmonica range can be played an octave higher.
Of course these scores will also work with a single chromatic, a cello, and a violin, flute or oboe on the second melody part. In addition, most of the first melody parts fit the alto recorder, my instrument.
Baroque trio sonatas usually had either 4 movements (slow, fast, slow, fast), or three movements (fast, slow, fast). The names applied to each movement. e.g. Adago, Largo, Vivace, Allegro, indicated the speed and often how the movement should be played.
All the scores below have been created by modern editors, as indicated, and are covered by Creative Commons Licenses. So use and share them freely. The first score, the Corelli Trio Sonata in Bb major, Opus 2 No 5, is the one in the video. I’m not aware of chromatic players who have attempted the others, indeed some of the melody parts and bass parts may be very challenging. I have performed many of these pieces with my baroque ensemble.
Corelli: Archengelo Corelli (1653-1713) was arguably the best known late 17h centuy composer. Based in Rome, his compositions, entirely for strings, were widely published. His beautifully crafted pieces remain popular.
Trio Sonata in Bb Major Opus 2 No 5 – Editor R.D. Tennant
Trio Sonata in G Major Opus 2 No 7 (originally in F Major) – Editor R. D. Tennant
Boismortier: Joseph Bodin de Boismortier (1689-1755) was granted a royal license to print music in 1724, he published over 90 volumes. Based in Paris, his music was aimed mostly at the ready market of amateur players, in particular flute and recorder. His pices were (and are) engaging and consistently good.
Trio in D Major Opus 7 No 1 – Editor Gil Garty
This would be for 3 chromatic harmonicas, all reading from the same score
Trio Sonata in D Minor Opus 37 No 5 – Editor Gil Garty
Handel: George Frederic Handel (1685-1759) is rightly considered one of the greatest baroque composers. His early life was spent in Hamburg and Italy, his career was mostly in London. Best known for his larger works, including the epic “Messiah”, he wrote exquisite pieces for small chamber groups in his early years, his recorder sonatas in particular were amongst the very best.
Trio Sonata in F Major Opus 2 No 4 – Editor R. D. Tennent
Trio Sonata in Bb Major (originally A major) Opus 5 No 1 – Editor R. D. Tennant
Telemann: Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767) was perhaps the most prolific baroque composer. His extensive output for small baroque chamber groups was mostly good, often exquisite, and tremendous fun to play. Baroque recorder and flute players in particular would be profoundly poorer without his pieces.
Trio Sonata in G Minor TWV 42 g9 – Editor S. Fryer
Trio Sonata in D Minor TWV 42 d7 – Editor S Fryer
Hotteterre: Jacques-Martin Hotteterre (1674-1763) came from a famous family of performers, composers and instrument makers, responsible for the 18th century baroque flute design. The delightful Opus 3 trio sonatas shown here may appear simpler than other pieces in this list, however to reveal their true character requires knowledge of French baroque performance practice, a deep subject.
Trio Sonata in D Major – Opus 3 No 2 – Editor Yoshio Sakurai
Trio Sonata in G Major – Opus 3 No 6 – Editor Eduardo Fonseca