Music For Horns

This work needs no introduction (and if one is required, there is an excellent one on Wikipedia).

The arrangement is in B flat minor (F minor concert pitch) which is a fifth lower than the original (in B flat minor). Like many other arrangements, this translated into simply playing from the score in C. The distribution of parts is high to low as the number increases, so horn 1 is the highest, horn 8 the lowest (except for the tuba), and from 2 to 7 the range gets lower with each player. The moving parts are distributed between the players, so everybody gets to play the theme at some point.

Overall an effective arrangement of a work that lends itself well to a horn ensemble. The addition of the tuba provides more of the bass (making it sound more like the string orchestra rather than the string quartet version). And apart from the musical value, this piece is an excellent breathing exercise.