One movement.
Moderato.
Piú mosso
Meno mosso
Tempo I
Clefs
Treble
Meters
2/2, 3/2, 4/2
Key signatures
1b
Range
Horn 1: c1 - a2
Horn 2: c1 - g2
Horn 3: g - g2
Horn 4: c - g2
Creator's Comments
Performance Notes
Ricercar for horn quartet is, as the name implies, a fugal work centred around the key of d minor, with the horn parts imitating each other in varying successions. As noted above (in structure/movements), there are four sections within the work, with new themes in the 1st and 2nd, a short unison passage 3rd, and a recapitulation in the 4th.
The themes are all lyrical in nature, which is supported by the steady metronome marking. Due to the decision to not write the 4th horn in bass clef, there are a considerable number of leger lines to get used to. The other three parts are all within a limited range, and except for one entry on a2 in the 1st horn, there is nothing even remotely difficult in this piece.
The set is very inexpensive, and even contains alternate trombone parts for horns 3 and 4, so it comes highly recommended as an alternative to other works of the same type.