Gavotte

About This Composition Also known as HWV 491, this piece was originally composed for solo piano by the great George Frederick Handel (1685 – 1759) around 1705. Born the same year as Johann Sebastian Bach and Domenico Scarlatti, Handel is regarded as one of the greatest composers of the Baroque era, with works such as Messiah, Water Music, and Music for the Royal Fireworks remaining steadfastly popular. One of his four coronation anthems, Zadok the Priest (1727), composed for the coronation of George II, has been performed at every subsequent British coronation, traditionally during the sovereign's anointing. The gavotte is a French dance, taking its name from a folk dance of the Gavot, the people of the Pays de Gap region of Dauphiné in the southeast of France, where most believe the dance originated. Containing the typical characteristics of a baroque gavotte, this dance has a rhythm pattern of two short notes followed by a longer note.