Details page

Title
Sonata
Original Title
Composer
Boismortier, Joseph Bodin de
Year
Editor
Arranger
Shaw, Lowell E.
Year Arranged
1965
Original Instrumentation
3 flutes
Publisher
Hornists Nest
Year Published
1965
Catalogue Number
HN 4
Sheet Music Format
A4, Score (7) & parts (3x4 = 12)
Horns
3
Additional Equipment
Others
Other Instruments
Duration
9
Structure / Movements
4 movements: I Modere II Allegro III Lentamente IV Gigue
Clefs
Treble
Meters
C, 3/2, 6/8
Key signatures
None
Range
Horn 1: g - g2 Horn 2: g - g2 Horn 3: g - e2
Creator's Comments
Performance Notes
Joseph Bodin de Boismortier (1689-1755) was a French composer of the Baroque, writing instrumental and vocal music, as well as cantatas and opera ballets. This Sonata is a transcription of an original work for three flutes, with surprisingly limited range (g – g2), and unsurprisingly limited harmonic material. Three of the four movements are in C major (horn pitch), and only one in E major (the third). The interesting bits are evenly distributed between the parts, with an overall hierarchy 1-2-3 (in terms of tessitura). The first movement is sonata-form like, with many scale patterns. The second movement is fugal, and the only movement that justifies the medium difficulty rating, with its leaps. The third movement is a homophonic chorale, while the last one, a gigue, contains the most modulations (and hence accidentals). Overall a good presentation by The Hornists’ Nest, and recommended for people on the look out for medium difficult titles with a Baroque flavour.
Credits
Access to review score: Nancy Joy (NMSU)
Sound
Score