A4, Score (21) & parts (2x3=6 soli, 2,2,2,2,3,3,3,3,2=22 tutti, plus tuba, 2, total=30)
Horns
10
Additional Equipment
Others
1
Other Instruments
Tuba
Difficulty
2
Duration
4
Structure / Movements
One movement.
Clefs
Treble, bass
Meters
4/4
Key signatures
None
Range
Solo horn 1: c1 - d3
Solo horn 2: c1 - c3
Horn 1: d1 - c3
Horn 2: a - c3
Horn 3: d - f2
Horn 4: G - e2
Horn 5: c1 - c3
Horn 6: g - b2
Horn 7: A - f#2
Horn 8: G - a1
Creator's Comments
Performance Notes
It was only a matter of time until an arrangement of Bach’s first Brandenburg concerto would surface, given that with the two solo horns, and an orchestral accompaniment that is technically not any more difficult, the piece lends itself perfectly to be arranged for a horn ensemble. The choice to use eight tutti horns to cover the orchestra may seem a bit exaggerated, and indeed it would have been very possible to arrange the work for 2 soli, 6 horns and tuba, but this way more players get to have a good time, and there are more opportunities to rest (which is more than welcome in a piece that has a range from g2 to c3 in the high horns).
The first thing every orchestral player will notice is the odd looking solo parts. Especially at the beginning, the only time in the whole piece where the first horn plays in a decent tessitura, the change in Emerson’s arrangement is noticeable: both parts have been put one octave higher, and the 2nd solo part even two octaves! This gives the opening a very different feel, more virtuoso, yes, but definitely not in line with the original. The same happens at the end of the movement.
The tutti horns are divided in two sections with four players each – a wind and string division. The tessitura for the high players (1 and 5) is, similar to the solo horns, quite high all the way through, while the middle voices (2,3,6,7) are in a comfortable range. The low horns (4 and 8) need technical facility all the way into the pedal register, as the tuba is only used as a harmonic bass instrument.
Overall this is a slightly more challenging than necessary arrangement of the first movement of Bach’s Brandenburg concerto no.1. Then again, it is always possible to take out the original solo parts and just play those. It would not make the rest of the arrangement any less effective.