Four-Horned Fandango

for 4 solo horns and orchestra

4 horns and orchestra

Edition: Performance material

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Description

In March 1849 Robert Schumann wrote his Konzertstück für vier Ventilhörner und Orchester F-Dur (Concert Piece for 4 Valve Horns and Orchestra F major) Op. 86 which he himself described as ‘one of my best pieces’. At that time, the newly developed valve technique opened up radical
new possibilities for the instrument. Schumann however shied away from a
bravura showpiece, instead preferring to weave the horn quartet into the dense orchestral texture.

Inspired by this composition, Mark-Anthony Turnage wrote his Four-Horned
Fandango. This one-movement work, too, revolves around the note F. The horn parts have deliberately not been written in a virtuoso manner, and although the dance is the heart of this music, the overall impression is dark and introspective. Inﬂuences of the dramatic scene Twice through the Heart, which Turnage worked on at the same time, can be clearly felt, particularly since a quotation from that work has found its way into Four-Horned Fandango.

Orchestral Cast

3perc(glsp, vib, sus cym, 3gong, tamb, b.d, cast, wdbl)-hp.pno(cel)-str(12.12.10.8.6)

More Information

Title:

Four-Horned Fandango

for 4 solo horns and orchestra

Edition:

Performance material

Publisher/Label:

Schott Music Ltd., London

Year of composition:

1995 - 1996 (2000)

Duration:

15 ′

World Premiere:

July 5, 1997 · Birmingham (UK)
Symphony Hall
Claire Briggs, horn; Peter Currie, horn; Mark Philips, horn; Peter Dyson, horn · Conductor: Sir Simon Rattle · City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Commissioned work :

Commissioned by EMI Records Ltd to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 1997