Horn Concerto (Williams)
Encyclopedia
John Williams
's Concerto for Horn and Orchestra is a solo composition
for horn
with orchestra accompaniment. Williams wrote the piece for principal horn player Dale Clevenger
of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
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.
Williams selected the quotes associated with each of the five movements from the works of various writers whom he admires.
John Williams
John Towner Williams is an American composer, conductor, and pianist. In a career spanning almost six decades, he has composed some of the most recognizable film scores in the history of motion pictures, including the Star Wars saga, Jaws, Superman, the Indiana Jones films, E.T...
's Concerto for Horn and Orchestra is a solo composition
Concerto
A concerto is a musical work usually composed in three parts or movements, in which one solo instrument is accompanied by an orchestra.The etymology is uncertain, but the word seems to have originated from the conjunction of the two Latin words...
for horn
Horn (instrument)
The horn is a brass instrument consisting of about of tubing wrapped into a coil with a flared bell. A musician who plays the horn is called a horn player ....
with orchestra accompaniment. Williams wrote the piece for principal horn player Dale Clevenger
Dale Clevenger
Dale Clevenger has been Principal Horn of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 1966. Before joining the CSO, he was a member of Leopold Stokowski's American Symphony Orchestra and the Symphony of the Air directed by Alfred Wallenstein. He was also principal horn of the Kansas City...
of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the five American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1891, the Symphony makes its home at Orchestra Hall in Chicago and plays a summer season at the Ravinia Festival...
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.
Orchestration
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.External links
- John Williams Fan Network
- Interview with Dale Clevenger by Bruce Duffie, October 16, 2003