Georg Friedrich Händel (1685 – 1759) was a German, later British, baroque composer who spent the bulk of his career in London, becoming well known for his operas, oratorios, anthems, and organ concertos. Handel received important training in Halle and worked as a composer in Hamburg and Italy before settling in London in 1712; he became a naturalised British subject in 1727. He was strongly influenced both by the great composers of the Italian Baroque and by the middle-German polyphonic choral tradition.

The Flute sonata in D major (HWV 378) was composed (?circa 1707) by George Frideric Handel, for flute and basso continuo. The work is also referred to as HHA iv/18,41. The work was originally attributed to 'Sr Weisse' (?Johann Sigismund Weiss), but is now considered to have been written by Handel. There is no autograph, but the sonata appears in an important manuscript of 18th century solo sonatas in the Brussels Royal Conservatory, and was published in facsimile in 1979.

The work consists of 4 movements: Adagio (the poetic opening bars are shared with the largo third movement of the flute sonata in E minor (HWV 379), and with a movement from the violin sonata in D major (HWV 371). The continuation here is closer to the violin sonata), Allegro (in a 3/8 spirited tempo. Based on ideas that Handel used in an overture written in Italy and a trio sonata), Adagio (a recitative-like piece) and Allegro (begins similarly to one of Handel's recorder sonata finales. In jig rhythm).

Source: Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flute_sonata_in_D_major_ (HWV_378)).

Although originally written for Flute & Continuo, I created this Interpretation of the Sonata in D Major (HWV 378) for Flute & Strings (2 Violins, Viola & Cello).