Musical_structure Concerti_Grossi,_Op._3_(Handel)

1 musical structure

1.1 concerto grosso in b flat major, op. 3, no. 1 - hwv 312
1.2 concerto grosso in b flat major, op. 3, no. 2 - hwv 313
1.3 concerto grosso in g major, op. 3, no. 3 - hwv 314
1.4 concerto grosso in f major, op. 3, no. 4 - hwv 315
1.5 concerto grosso in d minor, op. 3, no. 5 - hwv 316
1.6 concerto grosso in d major, op. 3 no. 6 - hwv 317

musical structure

the structure of op. 3 unusual. 6 concertos have between 2 , 5 movements, 1 of them contains usual 4 movements. instrumental forces set in traditional concerto grosso manner, i.e. tutti group , contrasting, soloistic concertino group. however, concertos filled virtuoso solo passages both strings , woodwinds, maintaining form of concerto grosso despite lack of traditional contrasting forces.

concerto grosso in b flat major, op. 3, no. 1 - hwv 312

the first , earliest concerto of set scored 2 recorders, 2 oboes, 2 bassoons, strings (with divided viola), , continuo. unusual in first movement in tonic key of b-flat—the other 2 in relative minor, g minor.

i. allegro
ii. largo
iii. allegro

concerto grosso in b flat major, op. 3, no. 2 - hwv 313

the second concerto contains 4 movements in b flat major , 1 (the second) in g minor. opening movement of five-movement concerto bears close relationship handel s brockes passion of 1716. unusually, 2 dance movements, minuet, , gavotte complete concerto. final gavotte bears close resemblance king shall rejoice handel s coronation anthems. concerto scored 2 oboes, 1 bassoon, strings, , continuo.

i. vivace
ii. largo
iii. allegro
iv. moderato
v. allegro

concerto grosso in g major, op. 3, no. 3 - hwv 314

the third concerto again in 3 movements (the opening largo brief classified movement). there little doubt concerto compiled walsh number of pieces handel. concerto scored 1 oboe (can replaced flute), 1 bassoon, strings, , continuo.

i. largo, e staccato — allegro
ii. andante
iii. allegro

concerto grosso in f major, op. 3, no. 4 - hwv 315

the fourth concerto piece in opus follow 4 movement framework. although layout of work not reflect typical concerto grosso music pulled straight 1716 overture 1715 opera amadigi di gaula, piece uniquely displays many aspects of handel s concerto grosso style. piece scored 2 oboes, 1 bassoon, strings, , continuo.

i. largo
ii. andante
iii. allegro
iv. allegro

walsh published no. 4b concerto erroneously under name of handel withdrawn few months later, possibly @ handel s request.

concerto grosso in d minor, op. 3, no. 5 - hwv 316

despite lack of division tutti , concertino , addition of allegro movement @ end, fifth concerto follows traditional italian model closely of op. 3 works. walsh @ first published first 2 movements, because work had been known in entirety, probable handel requested published in full. piece scored 2 oboes (originally one), 1 bassoon, strings, , continuo.

i. largo
ii. fuga, allegro
iii. adagio
iv. allegro, ma non troppo
v. allegro

concerto grosso in d major, op. 3 no. 6 - hwv 317

the sixth , final concerto has 2 movements, vivace, music extracted 1723 opera ottone, , allegro, handel s first published piece organ , orchestra, , taken overture 1712 opera il pastor fido. piece scored 2 oboes, 1 bassoon, strings, , continuo. allegro of concerto publisher walsh s commercial announcement of forthcoming edition of handel s opus 4: set of organ- (or cembalo-)concertos.

i. vivace
ii. allegro




^ johnston 2013.
^ goodman 2001.