Richard Strauss's Horn Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major, Op. 11 combines bold horn calls with expansive Romantic melody. Composed in 1882-83, while Strauss was still a teenager, it reflects an early familiarity with the instrument through his father, horn player Franz Strauss.
The three movements proceed without a break. An assertive opening fanfare leads into the first Allegro's lyrical writing; the Andante offers a more inward, singing contrast; and the final Rondo returns to buoyant motion and playful exchanges. The soloist must move convincingly between these characters while maintaining a clear tone and a dependable sense of pulse.
This G. Schirmer edition, Schirmer Library of Classics Volume 1888, provides the horn part with piano reduction for study and recital use. The music calls for secure attacks, flexible phrasing, and technical command sustained across the whole work. It is a substantial choice for an advanced horn player preparing the concerto with a pianist.
This performance by David Cooper will give you a taste for how the music sounds, although your sheet music will differ slightly from his version:
- Note: Houghton Horns is not in any way affiliated with the creators of this video. We included the video to give you a general taste of what the sheet music sounds like, but these artists' interpretation of the piece may differ from your sheet music.
Richard Strauss's Horn Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major, Op. 11 combines bold horn calls with expansive Romantic melody. Composed in 1882-83, while Strauss was still a teenager, it reflects an early familiarity with the instrument through his father, horn player Franz Strauss.
The three movements proceed without a break. An assertive opening fanfare leads into the first Allegro's lyrical writing; the Andante offers a more inward, singing contrast; and the final Rondo returns to buoyant motion and playful exchanges. The soloist must move convincingly between these characters while maintaining a clear tone and a dependable sense of pulse.
This G. Schirmer edition, Schirmer Library of Classics Volume 1888, provides the horn part with piano reduction for study and recital use. The music calls for secure attacks, flexible phrasing, and technical command sustained across the whole work. It is a substantial choice for an advanced horn player preparing the concerto with a pianist.
This performance by David Cooper will give you a taste for how the music sounds, although your sheet music will differ slightly from his version:
- Note: Houghton Horns is not in any way affiliated with the creators of this video. We included the video to give you a general taste of what the sheet music sounds like, but these artists' interpretation of the piece may differ from your sheet music.