Menuet in A minor for a Musical Clock, HWV 603

Minuet for a Musical Clock

This Menuet in A minor, HWV 603 is part of George Frideric Handel's 18 Tunes for Clay's Musical Clock, Set II, HWV 598-604.

It was composed during the Baroque period.

This minuet has a simple A-B-A' musical form :

• Measures 1-8 : Phrase A (which we suggest playing twice, even though there are no repeat bars in the original) in the main key of A minor
• Measures 9-20 : Phrase B in the relative key of C Major
• Measures 21-28 : Phrase A', a variant of Phrase A, back in the main key of A minor (Phrases B and A' can also be repeated)

Please note that in this score, we suggest adding cadential trills to measures 19 and 27.

Even though these trills do not appear in the source, such cadential trills were customarily played during the Baroque period.

Please note that this sheet music includes suggestions for performing the ornaments (here, shakes, the English name for trills) in accordance with the performance practice of the Baroque period.

Namely, trills begin ON the beat, on the upper auxiliary note.

More or less repercussions may be added depending on the pianist's taste and ability.

Also, although there are no repeat bars in the original, we like to repeat the first section (measures 1 to 8) and the second section (measures 9 to 28).

Also in accordance with Baroque performance practice, remember that unslurred quarter notes should be played slightly detached, especially in the left hand accompaniment.

Duration : 01:34

Source : George Frideric Handel, 18 Tunes for Clay's Musical Clock, Set II, HWV 598-604