A4, Score (11) & parts (8x2=16, plus 2 optional novice parts, 1+1=2, total=18)
Horns
8
Additional Equipment
Others
Other Instruments
Difficulty
2
Duration
4
Structure / Movements
One movement.
Andante allegro
Clefs
Treble, bass
Meters
C
Key signatures
None
Range
Horn 1: d1 - c3
Horn 2: c - f2
Horn 3: c1 - g2
Horn 4: G - f2
Horn 5: b - g2
Horn 6: a - e2
Horn 7: g - g2
Horn 8: F - e2
Horn 9 (optional novice part): f# - e2
Horn 10 (optional novice part): c1 - c2
Creator's Comments
Performance Notes
Another one of Christopher Jones’ arrangements for 8 horns in F major (original key is G major), also providing two optional novice parts, one a bit more challenging than the other. The work is “For unto us a child is born” from the Messiah, a movement out of the oratorio that is frequently performed as a stand-alone work (example).
The parts are divided into two sections of four players each, and within those sections there are frequent divisions in two adjacent players. The alternation of theme and accompaniment figures, besides looking interesting on the score, also translates well into a special (and hence aural) distribution of the sound, with the attention of the listener constantly moving from one pair of players to another one.
The tempo marking Andante allegro is a contradiction, and is probably supposed to mean an andante that moves forward rather than sitting back. Therefore the tempo is not fast, and some of the passages that might look difficult at first sight, turn out to be easier than expected. The range in this transcription is not as extended as some of Jones’ others, so this is a more accessible work.