(ca. 7')
Published in August 2014 by AvA Musical Editions
Also available at: • June Emerson
Available digitally at nkoda
The repertoire specifically written for the low horn tends to focus mainly on the virtuosistic level. We can find several good etude books for practicing the low range on a student approach, but not many pieces. This piece was written to fill this lack of repertory and it is thought to be played on the B flat side of the horn. This characteristic allows this piece to be idiomatically played on a Trombone or for an Euphonium.
Technically speaking, for most of the horn players, it is written in their embouchure shift range. If played on a double horn, it is a good piece for working the thumb movement. It is written on both treble and Bass clef, including ledger lines, so it is a good option for practicing different clef reading. Being focused on the low and medium-low range, makes this a good repertoire choice for practicing embouchure shifts and for players doing a orthodontic treatment as well.
- Featured piece at the Matosinhos' International Competition 2014
- Repertoire piece for the IV Concurso Adácio Pestana (2020) horn competition
(2'20'') |
The first movement “Let’s play” is a rhythmical joke, alternating different metrics. |
(2'34'') |
Next, “Water Ripples” intends to illustrate small water ripples, using a chord sequence. This movement’s slow tempo makes it a good piece for practicing breathing a phrasing control. |
(1'55'') |
Finally, “Rag” is a ragtime, great for practicing swing and range shifts.
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Reviews
Ricardo Matosinhos has been a busy composer lately! His latest work received for review continues one of his “causes” – the horn’s low range. Low Horn Suite contains three charming movements that should be popular among teachers and much appreciated by players who are looking for fun pieces that address this often-awkward range. As Matosinhos himself says, “The repertoire specifically written for the low horn tends to focus mainly on the virtuosic level. We can find several good etude books for practicing the low range on a student approach, but not many pieces. This piece was written to fill this lack of repertory...” The first movement, “Let’s play,” is an upbeat “rhythmical joke,” with various metric and rhythmic surprises. The second, “Water Ripples” is a gentle flowing contrast. Finally, “Rag” is a wonderful closer, intended “for practicing swing and range shifts.”
These movements are thoroughly enjoyable and pedagogically useful. The overall range is c-a’, and, with a total duration of about seven minutes, this suite has some nice potential as a lighter recital piece for younger players who need extra incentive to develop their low ranges, bass clef reading, and register shifts between the mid-low and low ranges. Matosinhos has also made this work even more appealing by providing sample recordings and play-along files available on his website. I heartily recommend this suite.Dr. Jeffrey Sneaker, The Horn Call, Journal of the International Horn Society Volume XLV, No. 3, May 2015