Handel - Largo from Xerses - what tempo?

[robinia]

Sorry it's such a "techy" question but have tried signing up to the ABRSM forums with no joy so thought I'd try the culture vultures here.

Dd has brought this piece home - metronome marking says crochet = 108. I think this is way too fast for a Largo. Has anybody got the piece with a metronome marking or know how fast it should go? Would be very grateful for so my ears can have a rest from the pounding she's giving it at "allegro moderato"!

Sound's really fast for that piece to me.

What instrument is she playing? The phrases are quite long, so for a wind instrument it is hard to play it very slowly; but if you can with passion and expression it would sound far more fabulous than romping along.

On a piano/keyboard/harpsichord though it does need to be rather faster though (IMO), if it's a solo rather than accompanying another instrument.

Apologies for the errant apostrophe there. I don't know where that came from

Fopr Largo, watch the second hand of your watch, and don't play it any faster!

She's playing it on piano. "Very slow" and 58 sound just right to me! Thanks for the help. Will show dd your replies - she wouldn't have it that I might be right and the metronome marking might possibly be wrong!

PS. sprouts are the best bit of Christmas - well nearly.

x-posted colditz - that's a good tip.

Is this Ombra mai fu?

Dh has sung this several times. It isn't supposed to be too slow, he has great breath control but has sung to some organists who insist on trying to kill him.

Steady rather than slow I would say.

Largo is slow and broad, very slow would be grave

I'm not quite sure what you mean when you say it is the largo not the aria. Do you mean it is the music that leads into the aria, I don't know the entire opera though but off the top of my head I don't remmebr a tempo change.