Review

George Frederic Handel
Organ Concerto in G Minor HWV 289 (Op.4, No.1):

Arranged by Justin Bland

Brass quintet and organ: 2 B-flat trumpets (piccolo in A), F horn, 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: Brass Ensemble - 5 brass
Secondary Genre: Chamber Music

George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) stands as arguably one of the most influential composers of the Baroque era. Born and educated in Germany, he later settled in England as court composer to George I, the king of England, whom he had served when George was Elector of Hanover in Germany. His high favor among the royals of England is attested by his burial in Westminster Abbey. His career output is impressive, with dozens of operas and oratorios, including the oft-played Messiah, an even larger number of cantatas, and numerous instrumental works. In the last category fall his organ concertos. Though possessing the earliest HWV catalogue number of his organ concerti, his Concerto in G minor Opus 4 Number 1 HWV 289 was actually completed and premiered after four others. These concerti seem to have been composed for use as intermission music at performances of his oratorios at Covent Garden.

Multi-faceted trumpeter Justin Bland has taken Handel’s G minor concerto and has arranged it for solo organ and brass quintet. Bland uses all four movements of Handel’s work, creating a nicely substantial work for modern performance. This version is clearly a work for solo organ with brass quintet accompaniment, as opposed to a brass quintet feature, though the quintet is utilized well and is given plenty to do. The score calls for two trumpets in B-flat, but with one also doubling on piccolo in A, horn, trombone, tuba and organ, whose score is given in two staves. The most technically demanding brass parts are the upper three voices, though technical facility is required in all parts to a degree. Good ensemble octaves and unisons are a must as is the desire to spend considerable time as accompaniment to the soloist. The soloist needs not only technical facility but the ability to realize figured bass in the slow movements.

Justin Bland has created a nice piece for use in church or on any organ recital. His arrangement, as published by Cherry Classics, is neatly laid out and is easy to read. Both soloist and quintet should find this to be a worthwhile addition to the repertoire for brass quintet and organ.