From its origins as a huntsman’s signalling device to the shiny and sophisticated instrument seen today, the French horn is one of the most distinctive and versatile voices in music, equally at home in a refined chamber music setting, or amongst other members of the brass family in a full orchestra. The horn’s hunting origins can be heard in the music of Mozart, both son and father, while its more lyrical qualities were exploited sublimely by Tchaikovsky and Brahms. Extremes of virtuosity are on display in Schumann’s Konzertstück, a real showpiece for four horns and orchestra.

SCHUMANN Konzertstück, Op. 86 – I. Lebhaft • HAYDN Symphony No. 31 in D major ‘Horn Signal’, Hob.I:31 – I. Allegro • L. MOZART Sinfonia da Caccia ‘Jagd Symphonie’ – I. Vivace • FIALA Concerto for 2 Horns in E flat major – III. Rondo andante • W.A. MOZART Horn Concerto No. 2 in E fl at major, K. 417 – III. Rondo: Allegro • TCHAIKOVSKY The Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a – VII. Waltz of the Flowers (excerpt) • HAYDN Horn Concerto No. 1 in D major, Hob.VIId:3 – III. Allegro • WAGNER Tannhäuser – Overture (excerpt) • W.A. MOZART Horn Quintet in E flat major, K. 407 – I. Allegro • BRAHMS Horn Trio, Op. 40 – II. Scherzo: Allegro – Molto meno allegro – Allegro • TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 5 – II. Andante cantabile, con alcuna licenza (excerpt) • BEETHOVEN Horn Sonata in F major, Op. 17 – III. Rondo: Allegro moderato • HANDEL Concerto for 2 Wind Groups and Strings in F major, HWV 334 – V. Allegro • BIZET L’Arlésienne Suite No. 1 – IV. Carillon