Horn 1: c1 - c3
Horn 2: db - f#2
Horn 3: f# - c3
Horn 4: G# - f#2
Horn 5: f - g2
Horn 6: A - g2
Horn 7: c - c3
Horn 8: F - g2
Creator's Comments
This arrangement was first performed on July 28th 1992 at the Royal Northern College of Music during the 24th International Horn Workshop. David Cripps directed the combined forces of the Hallé and BBC Philharmonic horns.
Performance Notes
Wagner’s Gotterdammerung is the last opera in the cycle Das Lied des Nibelungen (or, in English, The ring). And yes, this arrangement contains the short call in the right key, but there is much more to it. There are a great number of themes present, something that will be outlined here.
Even though the lines are distributed evenly, there is a noticeable distinction between the first and second four horns. At times it is almost like two sections playing, which created a kind of orchestral effect, only with left and right rather than front and back. This adds a visual aspect to the audible one, which usually enhances concert performances.
Not that this arrangement needs enhancing of any kind. All the parts are interesting and have a wide range, difficult passages are followed by extensive rests, and everything unplayable and not necessary for the overall presentation of Wagner’s work have been omitted. This is also one of the few transcriptions for horn ensemble available by a non specialized horn music publisher. Hopefully there are many more of this kind to come in the near future.