STEVENS John, Sonata

horn and piano

Duration: 19’
Level: intermediate / advanced
Composed: 2008
Genre: contemporary
Composer: *1951
Movements
I Andante - Allegro moderato (6’) - II Slow and freely - Tempo lento (5’30) III Vivace (7’30)

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About this Work

This Sonata for horn and piano was composed in the summer of 2008 with support from a grant from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Graduate School. It was premiered in 2009 by American horn soloist and pedagogue Gail Williams, who is also a former member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The work is in three movements but the lengthy slow section that opens the first movement, eventually giving way to an Allegro, results in a structure that hints at the four-movement baroque sonata format. As with all of my brass sonatas and concertos, an effort has been made to showcase both the technical capabilities of the horn as well as its glorious, lyrical sound. This work is dedicated to Jerry Peel, a fantastic hornist and great friend, but is also composed with thanks to all of the wonderful hornists who have inspired me throughout my career. John Stevens, Madison, WI, USA 2009.