John Williams's Concerto for Horn and Orchestra is a solo composition for

horn Horn most often refers to: *Horn (acoustic), a conical or bell shaped aperture used to guide sound ** Horn (instrument), collective name for tube-shaped wind musical instruments *Horn (anatomy), a pointed, bony projection on the head of various ...

with orchestra accompaniment. Williams wrote the piece for principal horn player

Dale Clevenger Dale Clevenger (July 2, 1940 – January 5, 2022) was an American musician who was the Principal Horn of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 1966 until his retirement in June, 2013.

of the

Chicago Symphony Orchestra The Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) was founded by Theodore Thomas in 1891. The ensemble makes its home at Orchestra Hall in Chicago and plays a summer season at the Ravinia Festival. The music director is Riccardo Muti, who began his tenu ...

in 2003 on a commission from the Edward F. Schmidt Family Commissioning Fund. The premiere performance took place on November 29, 2003. The work is technically demanding of the performer, and Williams himself described it as a symphonic poem that explores a variety of colors and moods. Unlike most instrumental concerti, this particular work is written in five movements. #Angelus: ''Far far away, like bells ... At evening pealing'' #The Battle of the Trees: ''Swift Oak ... Stout Guardian of the Door'' #Pastorale: ''There Came a Day at Summer's Full'' #The Hunt: ''The Hart Loves the Highwood'' #Nocturne: ''The Crimson Day Withdraws'' Williams selected the quotes associated with each of the five movements from the works of various writers whom he admires.

Instrumentation

This concerto is scored for a large orchestra, consisting of 3 flutes and piccolo, 3 oboes and English horn, 3 clarinets and bass clarinet, 3 bassoons and contrabassoon, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, percussion, piano, celesta, harp and strings.

References

External links

John Williams Fan Network

by Bruce Duffie, October 16, 2003 {{Authority control Compositions by John Williams 2003 compositions Williams Music commissioned by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra