Farewell to red castle - Theme and variations for horn octet
Original Title
Composer
Turner, Kerry
Year
1995
Editor
Arranger
Year Arranged
Original Instrumentation
Type of Arrangement
Availability
1
Publisher
Phoenix Music Publications
Year Published
1997
Catalogue Number
214516
Sheet Music Format
A4, Score (15) & parts (2,2,2,2,3,2,3,2=18)
Horns
8
Additional Equipment
Straight mutes
Others
Other Instruments
Difficulty
2
Duration
6
Structure / Movements
One movement, theme & variations:
Theme: Allegro spirito
Variation I: Same tempo
Variation II: Same tempo
Variation III: Andante cantabile
Variation IV: Allegro spirito
Finale: Same tempo
Clefs
Treble, bass
Meters
4/4, 3/4
Key signatures
1b, None
Range
Horn 1: f - c3
Horn 2: c1 - bb2
Horn 3: c1 - a2
Horn 4: f - g2
Horn 5: g - e2
Horn 6: d - c2
Horn 7: F (opt. E) - f#1
Horn 8: F (opt. D) - e1
Creator's Comments
Farewell to Red Castle (theme and variations for horn octet) was commissioned in 1995 by Soichiro Ohno and the Japanese-German Horn Ensemble. The original theme of the piece is an authentic medieval Scottish folk song. The haunting melodic strains are typical of the music of that country. There are 4 variations and a finale. Each variation is totally different in character. The theme, however, is always discernible, although sometimes cleverly hidden. Typical of Kerry Turner´s thematic and motival development style, the lyrical and sad, yet noble melody of Variation 3 can in fact be considered a completion of the development of the original theme. This is followed by a highly chromatic accompaniment in the low horns, with a subtly placed theme in the stopped high horns. The work ends with a grandiose bravura, lending the Scottish theme a Texan flair.
(From Kerry Turner's website)