Double Horn Concerto in E major

The present work, according to the wrapper of a copy preserved in the Oettingen-Wallerstein music collection under the shelfmark D-HR III 4 1 / 2 4˚ 282, was composed by Hoffmeister for “Messieurs Nagel et Zwierzina, Musiciens de la Cour de son alte[sse le Prince] de Palm”; the annotation suggests that the work was composed on 17 December 1792 but this is more likely to represent an acquisition date since both Joseph Nagel (1751/52–1802) and Franz Zwierzina (1751–1825), one time members of Palm’s Harmonie in Vienna, had joined the Wallerstein Kapelle as early as 1780. Nonetheless, there is no reason to doubt that Hoffmeister probably did compose the work for these two remarkable virtuosi. The technical demands of the concerto would have placed it far beyond the capacity of most professional horn players of the period. Hoffmeister would have been well-acquainted with the playing of both musicians and no doubt tailored the solo writing to exploit the strengths of both performers. Nagel, a high horn specialist, would have played the primo part and Zwierzina (low horn), the secondo part.

Source – Schloß Harburg, Oettingen-Wallerstein’sche Hofkapelle
(III 4 1 / 2 4˚ 282)