George Frederick Handel Organ Concerto in B flat major, Op.4/2, HWV 290 The year 1735 was a remarkable one in the career of Handel: two of his finest operas premiered then, Ariodante (January 8) and Alcina (April 16), and the composer began writing his masterful series of organ concertos, beginning with the six that make up the Op. 4 set. This B flat major effort, like most in the set, is cast in four movements, with two brief panels alternating with two vigorous, more substantial Allegros. The first movement, marked A tempo ordinario, e staccato, lasts less than a minute and features a bright, moderately paced orchestral introduction. The ensuing Allegro starts in the orchestra again, but now with vigor in its sunshine. The organ enters with its rendition of the jovial theme in brilliantly colorful writing, and thereafter alternates its solo passages with orchestral ones, rarely sharing the spotlight. The ensuing Adagio, e staccato offers ethereal, dreamy music from the organ in a movement that lasts less than a minute. The playful finale, marked Allegro, ma non presto, features unhurried but lively music from both the orchestra and organ, again with the two in generally alternating roles and with the organ displaying much brilliant, often virtuosic writing.
Posted on: Wed, 19 Nov 2014 03:40:29 +0000
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