by G. D. Cunningham
Relayed from The Town Hall, Birmingham

When Handel composed his organ concertos, they were quite a novelty. He was in the habit of playing them himself, accompanied by the orchestra, between the parts of oratorio performances. Eighteen of these works were published in his lifetime, and Dr. Burney states that they were so popular that for many years they formed practically the sole repertory of keyboard performers. The Concerto in F is one of the first of Handel's works in this form, and as fine a piece of organ music as had, to the knowledge of English organists, ever been written. There are three movements, the first Allegro moderato, rather in the form of a rondo, the second Andante maestoso, and the third Allegro, preceded by an introductory Adagio. This movement is in the style of a free fugue.