Date of Award

12-2023

Degree Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Degree Name

Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)

School

Performing and Visual Arts

Committee Chair

Dr. Timothy Tesh

Committee Chair School

Music

Committee Member 2

Dr. Richard Perry

Committee Member 2 School

Music

Committee Member 3

Dr. Benjamin Mcllwain

Committee Member 3 School

Music

Committee Member 4

Dr. Joseph Brumbeloe

Committee Member 4 School

Music

Committee Member 5

Dr. Joseph Jones

Committee Member 5 School

Music

Abstract

The four horn concertos by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart are fundamental standards of horn repertoire. Since the production of Dennis Brain’s early recordings in 1953, many virtuoso horn players have recorded these concerti on the modern horn. However, there are few professional recordings made on the natural horn. Though Mozart’s four horn concertos are prominent in horn study across the world, they are rarely executed with correct performance practice techniques. In my presentation, I will demonstrate passages from Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 4 to survey the challenges when performed on natural horn versus the modern horn. It is important to understand the stark contrast in difficulty to comprehend the virtuosic demands of these concerti. Additionally, understanding the hand-stopping technique of the natural horn brings attention to the music’s intended phrasing. Though Mozart satirized the horn within his compositions, the horn concerti were just as technically demanding as any of his other instrumental concertos.

Revised Aquila Edits- Final 1.pdf (1018 kB)
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