6 pieces:
I Allegro from Suite no.1 in F major (Movement no.3): Allegro
II from Suite no.1(Movement no.5): Vivace
III Bourree form Suite no.1 (Movement no.8): Presto
IV Hornpipe from Suite no.1 (Movement no.9): Allegro
V Minuet from Suite no.1 (Movement no.7)
VI Alla hornpipe from Suite no.2 in D major (movement no.12): Allegro deciso
This transcription of six movements from The water music was originally done for the Baltimore Horn Club.
The first and second horns are assigned the original horn parts in movements 1, 2 and 5, and may be played on natural horns in F.
If desired, the Allegro moderato (previously published by The Hornists’ Nest as HN 14) may be included between movements 2 and 3.
Performance Notes
This is an exemplary transcription of six movements from the Water music suites, with movements chosen as indicated above. The key is original, and most of the pieces have the original horn parts in horns 1 and 2, and an orchestra reduction in horns 3-6, organised in the standard orchestral 1-3-2-4 fashion (which in this case means (3-5-4-6).
The selection focuses on the fast movements, with not one single slow one present. It’s slightly odd to have one movement from the second suite stuck on at the end, with all the others being in either C or F major, and just that last one in D major (all horn pitch). It is also interesting that Martinet recommends the use of a natural horn for the original parts (which is certainly playable and very effective), and not that of baroque horns (probably because they are harder to find).
Overall this is one great piece for every horn sextet, and an essential item in every horn choir’s library.