Fair play - Volume 1 (Folk song settings for four equal horns)
Original Title
Composer
Various
Year
Editor
Arranger
Gogolak, Edward
Year Arranged
1995
Original Instrumentation
Type of Arrangement
3
Availability
1
Publisher
Hornists Nest
Year Published
1995
Catalogue Number
HN 73
Sheet Music Format
A4, Score 8) & parts (4x4=16)
Horns
4
Additional Equipment
Others
Other Instruments
Difficulty
1
Duration
6
Structure / Movements
Four songs:
I A-roing (Englsih folk song): Andante, like a fanfare - Piu mosso - Andante
II A Gloucestershire wassail: Easy, in 1
III Sarasponda (A spinning song): Lively
IV Apres mi la blonde (Old French folk song): Marciale
Clefs
Treble, bass
Meters
2/4, 3/8, 4/8, 6/8
Key signatures
2b, 1#
Range
Horn 1: c - bb2
Horn 2: Bb - bb2
Horn 3: F - bb2
Horn 4: F - bb2
Creator's Comments
The title FAIR PLAY refers to the method that I have used in scoring for the horn quartet in these arrangements. I have deliberately treated the four voiced as equal—each player must have technical facility throughout the range of the horn, and the parts offer each performance a chance to “star” from time to time. Theoretically, no player will be worn out from playing consistently in the high register. In these works, everyone wins—the performers by rising to the special challenge of the scoring, and the audience by being treated to a unique musical experience.
And a note from the Nest—on the first run-through of “A-Roving”, it would seem advisable to keep a score handy, for help in getting past the ritards, the stops ands tarts, and the rubato sections. The “Gloucestershire Wassail” has a fairly nasty passage in horn 2, so it might be best to observe the suggested tempo. In “Sarasponda”, Ed has chosen to pick on horn 3, and the 4th part is the most gymnastic in “Blonde”. However, this is not to suggest that the other parts don’t get their share. He has left almost no place for the “low player” (or the high one, for that matter) to hide out, and I suspect that these pieces will pinpoint some areas of your horn technique that could use extra attention! Enjoy!
Performance Notes
As noted above, quick register changes are required in these arrangements, as well as fast changes between treble and bass clef. What might otherwise have been a fairly average performing experience, like this becomes an exciting challenge, to see whether the mind is switched on and the technique is strong.