Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Franz Liszt

Der Jäger Abschied

For 6 horns in F - score 6 p. & parts

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy wrote an enormous amount of exquisite vocal music in his short life. The song Der Jäger Abschied (Farewell of the Hunters) Op. 50, No. 2 (1840) was written for male choir, 4 (natural) horns and bass trombone. In 1848, Franz Liszt adapted Mendelssohn's chorus into a virtuoso piano piece. We hear sweetly echoing horns, alpine calls, hoof beating and the heroic blaring of a hunting horn troupe. Needless to say, this music calls for an arrangement for horn ensemble.

In the world of horn and brass ensemble music from the 18th and 19th centuries, original high-quality ensemble repertoire appears to be scarce. Additionally, students and advanced amateurs are rarely given the opportunity to perform important Romantic symphonic works by Bruckner, Mahler etc. and Wagner's great operas in their original versions. Orchestral part studies with only the original parts, and above all, a lot of rest are not always inspiring. For this reason, throughout his extensive career as a horn pedagogue, Herman Jeurissen wrote a considerable number of arrangements. These include shorter compositions by the great masters, allowing for an accessible introduction to their style and writing.