Details page

Title
Concertino op.94 for ten horns plus tuba
Original Title
Composer
Shostakovich, Dmitri
Year
1953
Editor
Arranger
Emerson, James
Year Arranged
1993
Original Instrumentation
2 pianos
Publisher
Emerson Editions
Year Published
1993
Catalogue Number
EHE1003
Sheet Music Format
B3, Score (19) & parts (3,3,3,3,4,4,4,4,4,4=36, plus tuba, 4, total=40)
Horns
10
Additional Equipment
Others
1
Other Instruments
Tuba
Duration
12
Structure / Movements
One movement. Adagio - Allegretto - Adagio - Allegretto - Adagio - Allegro
Clefs
Treble, bass
Meters
C
Key signatures
None
Range
Horn 1: e - eb3 Horn 2: e - c3 Horn 3: d - d3 Horn 4: G - f2 Horn 5: e - c3 Horn 6: e - b2 Horn 7: d - d2 Horn 8: G - e2 Horn 9: Bb - d2 Horn 10: F - c2
Creator's Comments
Performance Notes
A performance of the Concertino for 2 pianos in A minor op.94 is easily found, and as this transcription is very close to the original, it is not hard to imagine what it would sound like for ten horns and tuba. There are some obvious concessions to be made, such as the omission of the tremolo at the beginning (instead just holding the note), and other piano specific passages, but overall all elements are represented somehow. While the key, A minor, is quite comfortable for the horns, with one sharp in the key (omitted by Emerson, and instead placed in front of every F), the range is extreme up top (eb3). There are, however, alternate parts for those passages, which makes them playable even without a few high horn specialists. The parts are divided in three sections, 1-4, 5-6, and 7-10. There is some overlapping between the sections, but more often than not they are clearly divided. Every part has something interesting to play, though 7-10 play a lot in unison (the main themes in the bass). The other horns are more in the business of covering all the fast piano runs, so this work can be played with six very good players, and four intermediate ones. Hence it is ideal for a good horn studio, or interested professionals.
Credits
Access to review score: Nancy Joy (NMSU)
Sound
Score