Strauss, Horn Concerto No.1 in E flat, Opus 11

Composed in 1882 when Strauss was only 18, probably for his virtuoso father to perform.

Listening points

The 3 movements (fast-slow-fast) are played attaca.

Strauss uses the horn in a melodic way, letting it sing out over the orchestra.

Although the piece is relatively short (only 15 minutes) it has expansive gestures and phrases, which give it a much larger feel.

Movement I: Allegro 4/4
The solo horn comes in almost immediately adding to its grand presence.
Strauss uses lots of dotted rhythms and triplet motifs in this movement.

Movement II: Andante 3/8
The accompaniment is mainly pianissimo.
The horn has duets with the clarinet and bassoon.
The central section is in a major key using pizzicato strings.

Movement III: Allegro 6/8
There is a short intro in 4/4 before the music kicks off into a bouncy 6/8.
The lively feel to this movement is partly achieved by the use of staccato melodies.
The use of syncopation in the accompanying strings drives the music forward

RICHARD STRAUSS 1864 – 1949

German composer and conductor, who lived through two world wars.
Strauss’s father was a professional orchestral horn player, which was a great inspiration for Strauss. He began piano lessons aged 4 and wrote his first compositions at the age of 6!
Strauss was greatly influenced by the composers Berlioz, Liszt and Wagner, as well as philosophy and psychology.
Strauss was deeply interested in human psychology, which is portrayed in his music.
Strauss’s work is classified as late romantic music and was popular throughout his lifetime.