Handel wrote the music for a large orchestra with 24 oboes , 12 bassoons ( including a contrabassoon ) , nine trumpets , nine horns , three pairs of kettledrums , and a number of side drums . It was scored for a large wind band ensemble consisting of 24 oboes , 12 bassoons ( and a contrabassoon ) , nine trumpets , nine French horns , three pairs of kettledrums , and an unspecified number of side drums .