How many horns is too may horns? Wrong – there is no correct answer, for you can always have more horns.
Schumann wrote this piece in 1849, requiring four skilled players – even on modern horns the music is exceedingly challenging in live performance. There are also horn players in the accompanying orchestral part.
The work opens with two abrupt chords followed by bombastic horn calls. The work turns more lyrical through to the second movement, and the ‘very lively’ final movement concludes the work.
Is it a concerto? It’s in three movements, has solo instruments and an orchestra… Schumann may have preferred Konzertstück (Concert Piece) as a title as it is shorter than the usual Romantic concerto at that time.
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