Horn Sonata No. 1 (Danzi)

The precise circumstances which led to the composition of the sonata are not known, but it believed to have been inspired by the success of Beethoven's Horn Sonata, Op. 17.[1] While no specified player has been identified, Tatum in his thesis noted that Danzi had composed many works for Carl Türrschmidt, a virtuoso noted for his ability to exploit the low end of the horns range and that the sonata contains several passages designed to exploit the lower notes of the horn.[2]

When published as the Sonate pour le Piano-Forte avec accompagnement d'un Cor ou Violoncelle, the horn intended was the natural horn. In modern performances a valve horn is often used.

As the original title suggests, the piano is the dominant instrument, although the horn is not purely restricted to an accompanying role.[3]

The composition has three movements:

1. Adagio - Allegro
2. Larghetto
3. Allegretto

A standard performance usually lasts 22–23 minutes.

Notes

Sources

• Humphries, John (1999). Danzi: Wind Quintets Op. 67, Nos. 1-3/Horn Sonata, Op. 28 (CD). Naxos Records. 8.553570. Retrieved 2015-10-10.
• Tatum, Bradley Alan (2010). Austro-German Classical Era Horn Works: A Study in Style and Performance Practice (PDF) (D. M. A). University of Maryland.

• Horn Sonata in E-flat major, Op. 28: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
• Christiansen, Kai (2015). "Horn Sonata, Op. 28". Earsense.org.