Musical Contribution - October 2008

Dear organist,

It is my pleasure to offer you a piece of sheet music from Johannus Orgelbouw for the second time.
This time, it is not a chorale-style arrangement, but a setting of one of the most well-known melodies ever composed.

G.F. Handel, in addition to his oratorios, also composed several operas. His opera Berenice premiered on May 18, 1737, at London’s Theatre.
One movement from this extensive work has taken on a life of its own over the centuries. Countless arrangements have been made in various keys and for a wide range of instruments – including now, this organ arrangement.

It’s a beautiful melody, which deserves a gentle registration. Consider a mild solo stop, such as a soft reed, or the combination of flutes 8, 4, and 3.
Accompany this with an 8’ flute on another manual, optionally adding a 4’ flute.
The first 16 bars are repeated – perhaps with a different registration.
From bar 33 onward, it’s advisable to play everything on one manual, either as written or an octave lower. In bar 49, the melody returns one last time – ideally using the same registration as in bars 1–16.

Of course, these are just suggestions. There are many other possibilities, which I gladly leave to your own creativity.
Above all… enjoy!

With warm regards,
André van Vliet