Review

George Frederic Handel
Organ Concerto in F Major HWV 292 (Op.4, No.4):

Arranged by Justin Bland

E-flat or B-flat trumpet, B-flat trumpet, horn in F, trombone, tuba, organ

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2020
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre:

Organ Concerto in F Major is a four-movement arrangement of HWV 292 (Op.4, No.4), a piece that was originally scored for organ and orchestra by George Frideric Handel. This setting, arranged by Justin Bland, is for brass quintet and organ. The arrangement is faithful to the original character of the piece. This is primarily an organ concerto for an advanced soloist with a light accompaniment. The brass version makes a different effect possible, offering extra power, especially in sections where parts are doubled in unison and octaves. For the most part, this is a transcription from string parts, incorporating pointillistic, pianissimo, interjections and moments of finesse.

The first trumpet part comes with E-flat and B-flat options; its highest note is c³. The light, imitative polyphonic setting might make E-flat trumpet the more desirable option for first trumpet, but all of the other brass parts are well within established norms in terms of range.

This arrangement will work well in a ceremonial or sacred context, but may also be suitable for an organ recital in a large space. Intermediate players can perform this arrangement leaving out difficult passages that are doubled in the organ part, but the subtlety required to accompany the organ without stepping out of the texture is better suited to professional level players.