Today’s choice comes from a set of six concerti for organ and orchestra, composed in 1735 and 1736 and published in 1738 by the printing company of John Walsh.
Written as interludes in performances of oratorios in Covent Garden, they were the first works of their kind for this combination of instruments and served as a model for later composers. Handel’s prowess as an organist had already been demonstrated in Rome in 1707 in a contest with the composer Domenico Scarlatti, when his playing on the organ was rated higher than Scarlatti’s playing on the harpsichord
“My sister gave you an account of Mr. Handel’s playing here for three hours together: I did wish for you, for no entertainment in music could exceed it, except his playing on the organ in Esther, where he performs a part in two concertos, that are the finest thing that I ever heard in my life.”
Mrs. Pendarves, 15 March 1735
This concerto is in four movements – a striking French overture-style G minor opening, followed by a very jolly and imitative Allegro in G major.
After a 10-bar Adagio (during which the performer improvises), leading to an Andante – this is in AB, A1B1, A2B2 form where the music becomes more ornamented and dramatic as the piece progresses, showing off Handel’s skills at the keyboard.
The Listening Project Blog 