So this is one of what I hope to be many blog posts on the subject. And, I hope to get your feedback on things like this. What I want to share with you today are the top 5 pieces that I have played that I want to play again (and again and again), the 5 that I have played that I never want to play again, and the 5 pieces that I really want to play. Let's start with the 5 that I have already played and want to play again, in no particular order.
1. Mahler's 1st Symphony. I have played this twice, once as Horn 3 and once as Horn 6. I could play this a million times. There's so much depth to the horn writing in this first of Mahler's great symphonies. There's enough technical challenge to make it very worthwhile, every part is exciting and fun, and plenty of loud playing!
2. Borodin's 2nd Symphony. I know Borodin isn't a super-popular composer to many, but hornists should really be interested in this symphony. It is very well-written for the horn section, and features a very beautiful horn solo in the first minute of the 3rd movement...one of the most romantic solos in the literature. I got to play principal horn on this piece as a sub with the Festival City Symphony, before I ending up winning that chair in an audition later.
3. Maslanka's 4th Symphony. For those who aren't familiar with this large-scale work for wind band, you should really check it out. There's a fantastic recording of the Marine Band playing this on Youtube. I got to play this with the CWU Wind Ensemble during my second year there. It's definitely a memorable experience.
4. Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade. One of the best pieces in the orchestral literature and a marvel of orchestration, which doesn't short-change the horn section at all. Being the principal horn, you get a prominent solo in every movement, and tons of very fun rhythmic and melodic lines for the whole section throughout. Plus, the music is just really great. I played this in its entirety on Horn 1 with the CWU orchestra in 2006, and again later in 2012, but just the 1st and last movements that time.
5. Dvorak's Cello Concerto. Believe it or not, the horn parts for this wonderful concerto are amazing. This piece is definitely my favorite non-horn concerto. I played this twice, once as Horn 3 and once as principal.
There's more I'd like to add to this list, but I'll leave at at 5. Now, here are the pieces I've played that I wish never to play again.
1. Ginastera's Suite from "Estancia". I just haven't had great experience playing this piece. I don't really enjoy the music or playing it. The best way to describe playing this piece is "annoying". I've played the piece twice...which is 2 times too many.
2. Elgar's Cello Concerto. It's just really boring to play any of the horn parts. The music is really great to listen to at times, so you have a good seat in the house while you're resting 70% of the time.
3. Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite No. 1. I've played the whole thing 5 times. There's only so much of it one can take.
4. Ravel's Bolero. I think that many a musician will agree with me on that one. While striking fear in the trombone section, this piece stakes physical & mental fatigue to the horn section.
5. Anything by John Mackey. I've played a number of Mackey's band works through the years, but I haven't really enjoyed any of them. His writing for horn is sub-par. I know that a lot of people love his music, but I'm sorry, I don't.
Okay, so now that I got that off my chest, now I can share with you the top 5 pieces that I'm absolutely dying to play!
1. Bruckner's 4th Symphony. I've been wanting to play this piece for years. Of course, playing principal horn would be idea because of all the solos, but realistically all the parts are great. And I just love the piece itself.
2. Strauss' Eine Alpensinfonie. Probably one of my top 3 all-time favorite pieces, and a gem of orchestration. The horn section has a field day in this piece, as they do in all of Strauss' tone poems. But, I like this one the most. All of the horn parts are amazing.
3. Tchaikovsky's 6th Symphony. I know, it's amazing I haven't played this piece yet! The horn parts aren't super amazing, but it's just such great music that I just want to be a part of!
4. Mahler's 3rd Symphony. I shouldn't have to explain this one. It's just...grand.
5. Dvorak's Golden Spinning Wheel. This piece isn't as commonly played, but I believe it should be. It's brilliant. The writing for the entire horn section in this piece is extraordinary.
There's a lot more I desire to play that didn't make it on this list. But those are the top 5 piece, for sure.
So I invite you comment with your top 5s in these categories, and weigh in on my tops. What do you think?
Take care and value music.