Flute sonata in E minor (HWV 379)
The Flute sonata in E minor was composed by George Frideric Handel for flute and keyboard. The work is also referred to as Opus 1 No. 1a, and was first published in 1879 by Chrysander. Other catalogues of Handel's music have referred to the work as HG xxvii,2; and HHA iv/3,2.
The work is the only sonata that survives as a flute sonata in Handel's own manuscript.
Of the two sonatas published in the Chrysander edition as Opus 1 Sonata I, this one is not in the Walsh edition. Therefore,, this sonata is not strictly part of Handel's "Opus 1". Chrysander's Sonata Ia and Sonata Ib have their first and fourth movements in common.
A typical performance of the work takes about 13 minutes.
Movements
The work consists of five movements:| Movement | Type | Key signature | Time signature | Bars | Notes |
| 1 | Larghetto | E minor | 21 | In common with the first movement of the flute sonata in E minor. Ends with a brief adagio. | |
| 2 | Andante | E minor | 60 | Two sections —each with repeat markings. Begins the same way as Halle sonata no. 2. | |
| 3 | Largo | G major | 21 | The beginning is famous from its much later use in the violin sonata in D major. The opening bars are also shared with the adagio first movement of the flute sonata in D major. Concludes on a B major chord. | |
| 4 | Allegro | E minor | 75 | Two sections —each with repeat markings. Passepied-like in a brisk tempo. In common with the fourth movement of the flute sonata in E minor. | |
| 5 | Presto | E minor | 33 | Two sections —each with repeat markings. Uses a favourite theme of Handel's. |