Concerto Grosso Op. 6/5 HWV 323

The captivating fifth movement of Handel’s Op. 6 is an allegro written for full orchestra. The boisterous first subject material is derived from one of Domenico Scarlatti’s Essercizi Gravicembalo sonatas of 1738 followed by repeated semiquaver passage-work over a walking bass reminiscent of the style of Georg Philipp Telemann. Handel however, treats the material in a wholly original way: the virtuoso movement is full of an unmistakable sense of direction, as the discords between the upper parts are eventually resolved. The final Menuet, was added later to the concerto grosso. It is not present in the original  manuscript and was perhaps included for balance. It is a more direct reworking of Handel’s Ode to Saint Cecilia and provides a more effective and conclusive way to end the concerto rather than the sparkling fifth movement.