One movement.
Molto andante - Allegro molto - Adagio - Allegro
Clefs
Treble, bass (old notation)
Meters
4/4, 2/4
Key signatures
None
Range
Horn 1: g - g2
Horn 2: c - e2
Horn 3: e - f#2
Horn 4: Ab - c2
Creator's Comments
Dear colleagues!
To write a long horn quartet is a dangerous task, as it can easily become monotonous. We have to introduce tone colour and contrast, and trust our poetic horn to not only be able to produce bright, but also dark colours. Because of this I have requested “bells up” in some places, and am convinced that this small composition is hence improved.
The composers before Weber didn’t know how to use the low register of the clarinet, and only now do we begin to use the raw, dark, menacing sounds of the horn with “bells up”.
I would therefore kindly like to ask you to follow the instructions and hints.
Templeton Strong
Geneva, 1913
Performance Notes
Legende is a romantic horn quartet, opening with an exploration of various arpeggi and a chorale-like section, before changing into a fast allegro, full of triplet rhythms. This fast section contains the “bells up” indications as referred to by the composer, and they are not, as usually, referring to the whole quartet, but instead they are used to highlight important elements in each individual voice.
The rhythmic demands are of advanced difficulty, there is hand stopping in the lower register, fast triplets on changing notes, and the character in general is lively (allegro). Right before the adagio, mutes are required, in a two times 5 bar, 2-part counterpoint, first in horns 1 and 3 in major, then in horns 2 and 4 in minor. These 10 bars return after the adagio, with the players inverted, to signal the beginning of the final section. The adagio is a chorale.
The final allegro is similar to the 2nd section, with triplet rhythms, and harmonies mainly based on major triads. This is quite a spectacular piece and ideal for the technically minded player.