Organ Concerto in F major

Historical context

The Organ Concerto in F major, HWV 293, emerged from a fascinating performance practice. Charles Burney, writing in 1785, recalled that George Frideric Handel began introducing organ concertos into the intervals of his oratorios as early as 1733. This innovative approach was notably employed during performances of ‘Deborah’ and ‘Esther’, offering audiences a fresh musical experience between the larger dramatic works.

This particular concerto later became part of Handel’s First Set of Six Concertos, known as Op. 4, which was issued by the publisher Walsh on October 4, 1738. George Frideric Handel himself took great care to ensure the integrity of this edition, explicitly stating in 1738 that it was published “from my own Copy Corrected by my Self, and to him only I have given my Right therein.” This personal oversight highlights the composer’s dedication to the accurate dissemination of his work.

Drawn from Deutsch, Otto Erich, 1883-1967, Handel, a documentary biography (1955); Rockstro, W. S. (William Smyth), 1823-1895, The life of George Frederick Handel (1883) — public domain, archive.org.