Prelude for Solo Horn (1974)

Solo work that explores the technique of stopping the horn. Composed for Marvin Howe.

In 1972 THE HORN CALL published part of a short treatise by Marvin Howe on Stopped Horn (1968).  In this short treatise, Marvin Howe discussed an effective method for improving stopped horn technique. The essential statement was that closing the hand in the bell of the horn, lowers the pitch to a half-step above the next lowest partial in the harmonic series.”  The subsequent letters to the editor of THE HORN CALL became what was known as “The Great Stopped Horn Debate.”  Rather than write a letter to the editor, I chose to compose this Prelude—to illustrate the techniques discussed by Marvin Howe.  (REF)

Interestingly enough, the review of this composition also became an ongoing discussion between the reviewer-Dr. Gayle Chesebro, the Editor of the Horn Call-Paul Mansur, and Dr. Howe.   So, this composition, itself, also became part of “The Great Stopped Horn Debate”!

In many ways the composition is a dialog between the outdoor horn-with little fanfares on open notes of the harmonic series-and the indoor horn-with open-stopped glissandi-created by closing the right hand inside the horn.  In the end, regardless of whether one is projecting open notes or stopped notes, the harmonic series always wins the debate!

Grade: 5

University Division Solo Horn Selection--American Horn Competition, 1991, 1994, 1997, & 2001.

Recorded by Randall Faust on Fantasies on American Themes.

Prelude for Solo Horn-Randall Faust, horn