Jean Françaix's Divertimento for horn and piano combines quick-witted rhythmic writing with a more sustained lyrical center. Its three movements, Introduzione, Aria di cantabile, and Canzonetta, ask the horn player to move between nimble articulation and an expressive singing line. The result is light in character, but not a light technical assignment.
The outer movements feature syncopated rhythms and agile passagework, while the middle movement places greater emphasis on long phrases. Stopped horn, flutter tonguing, and lip trills add variety to the finale. These demands make it a more suitable project for an experienced student or accomplished player than a first introduction to French horn solo repertoire.
This is the Éditions Musicales Transatlantiques edition for horn and piano, ALET000570. In rehearsal, precision needs to serve the music's playful character: clean articulation, coordinated rhythm, and clear contrasts of color are more useful goals than simply making the piece sound forceful.
* 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 song will sound like, but the artist's interpretation of the piece may vary from your sheet music.
Jean Françaix's Divertimento for horn and piano combines quick-witted rhythmic writing with a more sustained lyrical center. Its three movements, Introduzione, Aria di cantabile, and Canzonetta, ask the horn player to move between nimble articulation and an expressive singing line. The result is light in character, but not a light technical assignment.
The outer movements feature syncopated rhythms and agile passagework, while the middle movement places greater emphasis on long phrases. Stopped horn, flutter tonguing, and lip trills add variety to the finale. These demands make it a more suitable project for an experienced student or accomplished player than a first introduction to French horn solo repertoire.
This is the Éditions Musicales Transatlantiques edition for horn and piano, ALET000570. In rehearsal, precision needs to serve the music's playful character: clean articulation, coordinated rhythm, and clear contrasts of color are more useful goals than simply making the piece sound forceful.
* 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 song will sound like, but the artist's interpretation of the piece may vary from your sheet music.