SIX PIECES FOR HORN SOLO
for unaccompanied horn
 
A Character-Driven Suite for Unaccompanied Horn
Six Pieces for Solo Horn (1995) by Lior Navok is a 15-minute suite for unaccompanied French horn, with each movement portraying a distinct character inspired by real individuals. Through contrasts of register, timbre, and expression, the work explores peaceful, agitated, and even self-conflicted personalities. The six movements—molto sostenuto, quarter=60, rubato, presto, rubato, and with arrogance—allow horn players to demonstrate technical mastery and a wide emotional range, making it a compelling addition to contemporary pieces for solo horn.
 
Find More Information Here
 
About the Music
Written for Jacqueline O’Dell, this suite consists of concise character studies, each movement portraying a distinct personality through contrasting colors, articulations, and expressive attitudes. The six movements explore the horn’s wide emotional and timbral range, from lyrical introspection to rhythmic drive and bold, declarative gestures, and can be performed as a complete set or excerpted individually. It is suitable for advanced students and professional horn players, focusing on color, phrasing, and character contrast without requiring extended techniques. It works exceptionally well in contemporary recitals, juries, or competitions that value tone control, expressive variety, and rapid shifts in mood and style.
 
Program Notes
In Six Pieces for Horn Solo, each of the six pieces represents a character, a real person whom I knew. I found that the horn, with its register and timbre contrasts, could best represent the psychological qualities of the six characters and tell us their unwritten story. Some characters are peaceful, some are agitated, and one character even fights with itself. I leave it to the listener to decide who is who.
 
Specifications
Duration: 15 minutes
Year Composed: 1995
Instrumentation: Solo French Horn
 
Product Information
Hard Copy (Score)
Condition: New 1st Edition score
PDF DOWNLOAD AVAILABLE