Morceau de Concert in F minor Op. 94 – for Horn and Piano

As with Schumann?s “Concert Piece for four Horns” op. 86 (HN 1138) Saint-Saëns? “Morceau de Concert” was also composed with the idea of exploiting the technical possibilities of the new valve-horn mechanism. In this case, the French horn player Henri Chaussier provided the impulse. He had developed a novel ?Cor omnitonique? and wanted to demonstrate the merits of his instrument with Saint-Saëns? composition. Chaussier?s invention did not gain acceptance amongst horn players ? although the “Morceau de Concert” did! From today?s standpoint the popular work with one movement is not overly demanding technically; in addition, Saint-Saëns himself suggested two abridgements to simplify the piece, meaning that even advanced pupils can venture to play it.