What Horn Repertoire is “Model” Repertoire?

A site visitor, a composer, recently asked a question that got me thinking about what works I would suggest as models of horn writing among recent works. I enjoy a very wide variety of music, but what I tend to enjoy playing and teaching the most are works that are well suited to the horn player. By this I mean they have enough rests and are characteristic of the horn in terms of range so that they can be performed effectively. The most common mistake I see in new compositions is not enough rests. Often the work could be performed by itself but cannot be played in a recital as it takes too much out of the lips. So for an example I tend to go back to works such as the Hindemith Sonata, which is in a more traditional style but lays very well on the horn, or the Dukas Vilanelle or Bozza En Foret. The combination of rests and range a part of why these are such “standards” of our literature.

A list of the most standard of standard horn solos may be found in my main site. If you are an aspiring hornist and are not familiar with the works in the top portion of this list, start tracking down recordings, they are the best of the best of our literature. A couple of these works are on my CDs. In terms of very recent works, however, there are none on the list. Fifty years from now it will become clear which works hit the mark and which did not.

My other note to composers is the type of new work I always have my eyes open for is an interesting work that would be playable on a “jury” or performance exam. The ideal work would be 6-8 minutes long for horn and piano.