Harmonious Blacksmith (Variations)

Harmonious Blacksmith (Variations) by George Frideric Handel
Arranged for 4 C Flutes by Katherine Borst Jones
Includes score and parts

One of Handel’s most popular pieces, the “Harmonious Blacksmith” is an air with “doubles” or variations, and first appeared in the Suite #5 for harpsichord and originally published in the first volume of Suites de Pieces pour le Clavecin in 1720. The title “Harmonious Blacksmith” was bestowed on the music in the 19th century; one of the stories of its origin claims that the piece was the favorite of a William Lintern, an apprentice of a blacksmith and an amateur musician. He was often heard whistling his favorite piece, Handel’s “Air and Variations,” thereby giving his friend reason to call him “The Harmonious Blacksmith.” Handel borrowed portions of the “Harmonious Blacksmith” for his work Almira and for his Concerto for Organ or Harpsichord in Bb Major, Op4 #6.