Concerto in B-flat major for Harp, Op. 4 No. 6, HWV 294

Handel's Harp Concerto, Op. 4 No. 6 (1736), stands as one of the central works in the pre-19th-century harp repertoire. Originally scored for harp or organ (the Op. 4 set was versatile in this regard), the piece was written for the Welsh harpist Powell who performed it at revivals of Handel's oratorio Alexander's Feast. The three movements follow the slow–fast–slow Venetian concerto pattern favored by Corelli, but with Handel's own expansive melodic generosity. The middle Allegro movement is notable for its bustling string writing and the harp's graceful elaboration of the ritornello themes. Though written for a diatonic harp of Handel's era, modern performances use double-action pedal harp with appropriate adjustments. The work is an excellent entry point into Baroque harp style and remains a standard in the teaching and concert repertoire.