Horn Concerto No. 1, by Richard Strauss
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Accompanist
Cynthia Hunt, M.M.
Department
Music
Faculty Mentor
Tomoko Deguchi, Ph.D.
Abstract
Richard Strauss, a late Romantic and early Modern era composer, was born in Munich, Germany, on June 11th, 1864. Son of Franz Strauss, one of the world’s most renowned hornists and composers, Richard Strauss was born a music prodigy. By the age of twenty, he had already written two symphonies, two solo compositions, and other works. Through his father’s connections, Strauss was able to receive the best music education that the time period had to offer. Richard composed his Horn Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major on March 4th, 1885, at the young age of eighteen years old. He starts this solo with a bold musical statement. For the second movement, he slows the tempo down to an adagio with a reflective feel, still bringing quotes from his initial bold statement, but this time with a little bit of regret. He closes the work with a very fast tempo third movement, still bringing back his bold horn call. The piece ends very triumphantly. Though his father’s connections were what started Strauss’ career, Richard had a strange relationship with his authoritative father. In my lecture recital, I will explore Strauss’s relationship with his father while connecting and comparing the movements and statements of his Horn Concerto as Strauss’s declaration of independence from his father’s authoritative grasp.
Start Date
24-4-2015 3:30 PM
Horn Concerto No. 1, by Richard Strauss
Barnes Recital Hall, Conservatory of Music
Richard Strauss, a late Romantic and early Modern era composer, was born in Munich, Germany, on June 11th, 1864. Son of Franz Strauss, one of the world’s most renowned hornists and composers, Richard Strauss was born a music prodigy. By the age of twenty, he had already written two symphonies, two solo compositions, and other works. Through his father’s connections, Strauss was able to receive the best music education that the time period had to offer. Richard composed his Horn Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major on March 4th, 1885, at the young age of eighteen years old. He starts this solo with a bold musical statement. For the second movement, he slows the tempo down to an adagio with a reflective feel, still bringing quotes from his initial bold statement, but this time with a little bit of regret. He closes the work with a very fast tempo third movement, still bringing back his bold horn call. The piece ends very triumphantly. Though his father’s connections were what started Strauss’ career, Richard had a strange relationship with his authoritative father. In my lecture recital, I will explore Strauss’s relationship with his father while connecting and comparing the movements and statements of his Horn Concerto as Strauss’s declaration of independence from his father’s authoritative grasp.
