Quick Facts
- Written in 1956 for British horn player Dennis Brain
- The first performance took place in 1957 at the Cheltenham Festival, with Brain performing alongside the Hallé Orchestra conducted by the composer.
About the Piece
- With Dennis Brain in mind, Arnold wrote the solo horn part with both virtuosity and lyricism in mind, particularly in the upper register of the instrument.
- Listen for –
- 1st movement – the tension caused by the contrast between busy musical passages and more sustained, melodic ones for the soloist
- 2nd movement – the cantabile (in a smooth singing style) phrasing required by the soloist
- 3rd movement – the quick flutters and chromatic phrases for the soloist as the orchestra takes on a myriad of moods1
Sources
- Lewis Foreman, Notes in accompanying booklet, British Horn Concertos performed by David Pyatt and the London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Nicholas Braithwaite, Lyrita 316, 2015, compact disc.
Cut IDs
25035