Details page

Title
Silverado
Original Title
Composer
Broughton, Bruce
Year
1985
Editor
Arranger
Mahpar, Steve
Year Arranged
2011
Original Instrumentation
Full orchestra
Publisher
Stephen Mahpar
Year Published
2011
Catalogue Number
Sheet Music Format
A4, Score (27) & parts (2,3,3,2,2,2,2,2,2,2=22, plus tuba, 2, total=24)
Horns
10
Additional Equipment
Others
1
Other Instruments
Tuba
Duration
5
Structure / Movements
One movement. Dolce - Martial and majestic - Faster
Clefs
Treble, bass
Meters
4/4, 3/4, 2/4
Key signatures
None
Range
Solo horn 1: bb - b2 Solo horn 2: a - b2 Horn 1: a - a2 Horn 2: ab - f2 Horn 3: g - a2 Horn 4: d - e2 Horn 5: g - f2 Horn 6: c - d2 Horn 7: d - c#2 Horn 8: F - g1
Creator's Comments
Performance Notes
Yeeha!! Bruce Broughton’s theme for the Lawrence Kasdan movie Silverado is on top of the list of every horn ensemble’s “works they didn’t even know existed but absolutely have to play now that they know there is an arrangement”. An out-of-the-book heroic melody, full brass and percussion, and the characteristic acoustic guitar all play a part in this theme that has become one of the most recognizable Western tunes of all times. This arrangement is for 2 solo horns, 8 horns and tuba. In London Horn Sound fashion, there is a lot of doubling between the parts (especially the low ones), and the tuba is just an exact copy of horn 8 (no doubt to reinforce the low register). This arrangement could be played with 8 horns only, but where would the fun be in that? This version is slightly different from the soundtrack. The slow build up to the first entrance of the theme is missing, going straight into a “dolce” opening, with a fanfare in horns 1-4, followed by a lyrical melody in solo horn 1. Solo horn 2 picks up part of the fanfare, and shortly after the main theme (martial and majestic) kicks in, in the two solo horns in unison. The rest of the parts alternate between chords and rhythmic motifs, until they are featured in the first transition. The second part consists of rhythmic figures in most of the parts, with the theme from the opening returning (in a different key). After some more rhythmic variation, chorale-like accompaniment, and some modulations, the opening theme persists until the grand finale, with the solo horns, and horns 1 and 3 in counterpoint leading to the final A major (horn pitch) chord. This is one of the most exciting arrangements for horn ensemble available. Get your copy today!
Credits
Access to review score: Nancy Joy (NMSU)
Sound
Score