Mi palpita il cor for Flute, Alto Voice and Basso Continuo, HWV 132 c/d

From the Publisher

George Frideric Handel (1685–1759) wrote at least three versions of the cantata to the text Mi palpita il cor. These were composed during the first years after he had established himself in England some time between 1710 and 1713. The musical material of the different versions corresponds only in parts.

The information found in sources appears to be rather complex. In the Händel Werke Verzeichnis (HWV) only four versions of the cantata are recorded (a-d) although at least six versions of the complete cantata as well as single arias exist. The various copies also show considerable differences and embellishments of which the origin is partly not known.

The autographs by Handel belonging to the cantata serve as a draft for this edition. They are kept in the British Library London under the shelf marks R.M.20.g.8. (HWV 132 c, complete cantata) and R.M.20.e.4. (HWV 132 d, 1st aria only).

One can conclude from the various copies that the two first arias entitled Ho tanti affani in petto are of equal significance and can both be used during the course of the cantata. Hence both versions have been enclosed in this edition.

The edition has been kept close to the two autographs as far as this could be justified with regard to practical use. Other versions and copies from another hand have also been consulted and taken into consideration. Some obviously missing accidentals have been added and errors corrected (see footnotes in the score). Any further additions not deriving from the manuscript designated as the original source have been indicated as such. The Italian text has been very slightly adapted to customary spelling and punctuation marks have been added.

In the autograph the traverso is given a solo part. When playing the cantata on a recorder, it is advisable to play on a voice flute, a recorder in d. This corresponds to the customary manner of playing during the late baroque era which was particularly common in England. For players not accustomed to transposing, an extra part has been enclosed that can be played with treble fingerings.

Translation: Julia Whybrow

Freiburg, July 2003, Franz Müller-Busch

Contents

• Arioso e Recitativo
• Aria - Largo
• Recitativo
• Aria - Allegro
• Aria -Largo

Item Details

Instrumentation

• Part 1: Flute
• Part 2: Voice - Alto or Voice - Mezzo-Soprano
• Part 3: Basso continuo