Horn Music

 


Eric Whitacre's Glow for Horn Choir

As a trombonist, I love to hear trombone.  However, if there is one instrument's sound that I love as much trombone, it would be horn.  I have always had such a strong affiliation with the horn sound and wanted to feature some horn literature on the blog.  Originally written for SATB choir, Eric Whitacre's Glow was written for the World of Color Honor Choir as a part of the World of Color.  A link to the vocal recording can be found here. The original text for the song is:

"Softly falls the winter snow,
whispers to the sleeping world below:
"Wintertide awakes,"
morning breaks and the sets the death aglow.

In gentle tones of warmest white,
Proclaim the glory of Auroroa’s light.
Sparrow wings in a clear clean voice,
a sweet, silver carol for the season born.
Radiant wings as the skies rejoice,
Arise and illuminate the morn.

Softly falls the winter snow,
whispers to the sleeping world below:
"Glow, like the softly falling snow."



In Dulci Jubilo

In this other recording, the horn section of the Philharmonia Orchestra (based in London, UK) performs an arrangement of the traditional Christmas Carol.  This piece is exceedingly recognizable, yet the performance by the horns provides a unique and beautiful setting for the piece.  Arranged by Richard Birchall (one of the Philharmonia's cello players), I really think this setting of the piece showcases the depth of the horn.  The first horn player is able to fly above the rest of the horns with relative ease while the third and fourth horns are playing remarkably low for what we might expect.  

Comments

  1. Horn Ensembles RecipeMay 1, 2021 at 3:38 PM

    Thank you for bring this to your blog posting. The arranger -James Naigus for Eric Whitacre's Glow is alumni of UIowa .He is a great horn player and professor.

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