An Important Tip from Quantz on Cadenzas

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Students often struggle a bit with their cadenzas. With juries (performance exams) coming for many horn students the next two weeks, the following quote from Johann Joachim Quantz is very appropriate to ponder.

The object of the cadenza is simply to surprise the listener unexpectedly once more at the end of the piece, and to leave behind a special impression in the heart.

This is translated from his On Playing the Flute from 1752. In terms of horn playing even if you are using elements of printed cadenzas your cadenza needs to show some style and that little element of surprise to be effective.

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