Oboe Concertos by Händel & Förster

Johann Christoph Förster was born in 1693 in Bebra, where he received his early musical education, but it was from Johann David Heinichen that he learned continuo playing and composition. He quickly rose to the position of musical director at the court of Merseburg. His extensive oeuvre included church cantatas and instrumental pieces, but so much is lost that little has come down to us. He favored the galant style in the tradition of middle German baroque music, but he was clearly also influenced by both the French overture and the Italian concerto. As for Handel, he was so taken with the "sweetness and charm" of the oboe that it became his favorite instrument. His six oboe concertos Corelli and Vivaldi in Italy - were composed relatively early; one should not be misled by the late date of their publication (1740).