Details page

Title
Madrigals vol.1
Original Title
Composer
Various
Year
Editor
Arranger
Howe, Marvin C.
Year Arranged
1977
Original Instrumentation
Publisher
Hornists Nest
Year Published
1977
Catalogue Number
HN 32
Sheet Music Format
A4, Score (7) & parts (4x4=16)
Horns
4
Additional Equipment
Others
Other Instruments
Duration
5
Structure / Movements
5 pieces: I Purcell, Henry - In these delightful, pleasant groves: Allegro II Bateson, Thomas - The nightingale: Quick time III Bateseom, Thomas - Phyllis, farewell IV Bennet, John - Elves' dance V Ward, John - Love is a dainty
Clefs
Treble, bass
Meters
¢, C, 3/4
Key signatures
2b, None, 1b
Range
Horn 1: f#1 - g2 Horn 2: g - d2 Horn 3: c1 - g2 Horn 4: G - a1
Creator's Comments
Playing madrigals on the horn makes these demands: 1. Madrigals are vocal music and need to be “sung” on the horn 2. They need clear “diction”, with no hint of harshness in tone or tongue. 3. The spirit is often comic, with spritely and brisk tempi 4. Superb intonation will suffice 5. Every player must be constantly aware of the importance of all parts.
Performance Notes
This is a collection of English madrigal transcriptions. Purcell, Bateson, Bennet and Ward were all 17th century madrigalists and contemporaries of John Dowland. This set is interesting because it deviates from the standard quartet distribution of parts (of 1-2-3-4), instead treating the four parts like an orchestral horn section (1-3-2-4). The transcriptions are straight forward and easy to play, even though some of the quaver (eight note) runs in the faster movements can pose a bit of a challenge.
Credits
Access to review score: Nancy Joy (NMSU)
Sound
Score