|
The Double Reed Archaeologist
|
Chamber Music and Concertos for Oboists
and Bassoonists
Charles-David Lehrer,
General Editor
No. 75. George Frideric Handel:
Concerto Grosso Op. 3, No 5 in D Minor
This concerto contains movements from Chandos Anthems No.2 ‘In the Lord
put I my trust’ and No. 6 ‘As pants the heart’ (1717-18). At first this
work appears to be yet another ordre or dance suite. Beginning with a French
ouverture, it is followed by an adagio, fugue, and what at first appears
to be a gavotte finale. As we shall see, its province is a bit more complicated.
Regarding the French ouverture, the initial dotted-rhythm section is set
at three beats per measure rather than the usual four, and, due to the primary
motive, involves a great deal of subdivision by three. The viola is part
of the continuo, and the oboes, in unison, alternate the doubling of the 2nd
and 1st violins; by the time the fugue starts, one realizes that there are
only three real voices.
Insofar as the short adagio is concerned, once again we find a three-voice
composition. Its through-composed style is reminiscent Arcangelo Corelli’s
sonatas da chiesa for twio violins and continuo. Perhaps this entire work
was once a sonata for this combination
The following three-voice fugue seems to confirm the origin of a good
part of this concerto as a sonata da chiesa. The interval of imitation is
but one measure, placing the fugue more-or-less in the style of the monothematic
ricercare of the middle baroque.
The 3-voice finale is not a gavotte at all, but a da capo aria with a
wonderful unison ritornello, which points directly to music for the Italian
Baroque stage. The ‘B’ section has been reduced by the editor from full
ensemble to 2 oboes, bassoon, and keyboard, as might well have been done
in Handel’s day.
In conclusion, one might easily make an educated guess that this ‘concerto’
is a composite of items composed by Handel in three voices, but assembled
by John Walsh & Son, the editors of the Op. 3. Both French and Italian
theatrical styles are represented along with the sonata da chiesa.
About This Site
Site Developed by Nancy Bonar Lehrer
© International Double Reed Society: Boulder,
Colorado, USA - 2002
If you are having difficulties using this site, see
About This Site
.
Home