Fesch Concerto Op. 3 No. 1 for 2 Violins and String Orchestra

de Fesch: Concerto in B flat major, Op. 3 No. 1 for Two Solo Violins and String Orchestra (with Realised Harpsichord Part)

Willem de Fesch is not a household name, but his Concerto in B flat major, Op. 3 No. 1, deserves to be far better known than it is. For any ensemble that has worked through Vivaldi's double violin concertos from the Op. 3 set and is looking for something of the same standard and style but less familiar, this is the piece to reach for. De Fesch, a Dutch Baroque composer who spent much of his career in London and was a contemporary of Handel, wrote in a thoroughly Italian Baroque concerto idiom: energetic outer movements, a lyrical slow movement, and real interplay between the two soloists that gives both players something interesting to do. This new edition by Paul Wood works from the original score and includes a fully realised harpsichord continuo part.

The two solo parts sit at around ABRSM Grade 7 to 8 standard, which puts them squarely alongside the Vivaldi double concertos as a point of comparison. The writing for both violins is idiomatic and well-balanced, with the two soloists exchanging material, supporting each other, and occasionally joining together in a way that makes the relationship between the parts musically satisfying to work out in rehearsal. Neither solo part significantly outweighs the other in difficulty, which makes casting straightforward. The orchestral ripieno writing is intermediate-to-advanced and gives the string orchestra an active, engaged role rather than simply providing a backdrop.

At seven minutes across its movements, the concerto is a proper concert piece with real shape and variety. The slower central movement provides contrast and gives both soloists the chance to play expressively before the energy of the final movement brings the work to a close.

Check the score and parts preview images above, then watch the complete score video below. They'll give you a clear picture of the engraving quality and overall difficulty before you buy.

Key features

• Instrumentation: 2 Solo Violins + String Orchestra (Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Double Bass) with realised Harpsichord continuo
• Difficulty: approximately ABRSM Grade 7–8 (both soloists); Intermediate–Advanced (orchestra)
• Editor and continuo realisation: Paul Wood
• Duration: approximately 7 minutes
• Format: PDF download, full score, all parts, and realised harpsichord part

This edition suits school and youth orchestras wanting a double concerto at the same level as the Vivaldi Op. 3 set but with a less familiar work that will stand out in a concert programme. It works well for paired soloists of similar ability, for music school showcases where two strong players can share a feature, and for ensembles interested in authentic Baroque performance with a complete, ready-to-use continuo part.