Harp Concerto in B flat, Op.4, No.6

Although the Concerto in B flat was published along with the rest of Op.4 “for harpsichord or organ,” it is believed to be the “Concerto per la Harpa” inserted at the end of the recitative “Timotheus plac’d on high” in the first performance of Alexander’s Feast at Covent Garden in 1736. Certainly, it is perfectly possible to play it on the organ but, with recorders (or flutes) replacing the oboes required in the other works and the lower strings playing pizzicato throughout, it sounds even better on the harp.

The outer movements follow the conventional concerto grosso pattern, both offering some particularly attractive blends and contrasts of solo and orchestral colour but attempting nothing very ambitious in terms of counterpoint . The outstanding movement in this case is the lovely G minor Larghetto which is as expressive as any operatic aria of the period, the harp cast in the role of a lamenting soloist and rising to an elegantly passionate climax before the orchestra makes its last entry. There is an opportunity for a cadenza here, incidentally, if the soloist feels moved to provide one.

Gerald Larner