3 movements:
I Moderato (langsame Halbe)
II Andante
III Allegro
Clefs
Treble
Meters
¢, 4/8, 2/4
Key signatures
1#, None, 3b
Range
Horn 1: e1 - bb2 (opt. c3)
Horn 2: g - e2
Horn 3: g - g2
Horn 4: d - bb1
Creator's Comments
Performance Notes
Unlike Malige’s 2nd horn quartet, this one follows the standard classical convention of a three-movement work, with a sonata-form opener, a slow movement, and a Rondo to finish with. Perhaps the most unusual aspect of the work is the choice of keys, with the opening movement in G major (horn pitch), and the remaining two in C major.
The first movement progresses mainly in steps, and with its limited range is closer to the easy difficulty than medium, however the octave slurs and several short modulations in the 2nd are somewhat tricky. The final movement is the most interesting out of the three, with the rondo theme and major and minor key interludes.
Breitkopf does not feature Malige’s work in its catalogue any longer, but several retailers still have copies for sale. It is certainly not among the best horn quartets, but could be interesting for an intermediate horn quartet wanting to add some post-classical flavour to their program.