Handel – Concerti a Due Cori No.2 (1746)

The three Concerti a Due Cori (1746) are from the same world as the Water Music (1717) and the Music for the Royal Fireworks (1748).

They recycle music from other works – such as from his oratorios Esther (1732), Occasional Oratorio (1746), and even Messiah (1741). There’s also music from the Fitzwilliam Over­ture (1741), and a hunting aria from his opera Partenope (1730). There is also a good deal of new music.

The ‘due cori’ – two choirs – are the two separate groups of woodwind instruments (oboes, bassoons and horns) accompanied by strings and continuo.