Sonata No. 1 in F major Op. 118 – for Horn and Piano

Schumann’s horn sonatas were composed in 1936/37. Considering the slim repertoire offered horn players from this period, it is more than surprising that these two masterpieces could have slumbered for so long. Both sonatas are similar in structure, with op. 118 being one Schumann’s few three-movement sonatas.

The first movements of the pieces sparkle with melancholically lyrical melodies, whereas passages strongly marked rhythmically, variously shape the two outer movements. Virtuoso moments can be found, respectively, in the final movements, bringing the works to a brilliant close. The horn parts predominantly range within the full, sonorous middle register, where occasional “outbursts” up to the notated a flat” are also not lacking. The clever handling of the balance of sounds, the possibilities on the early valve horn as well as the inner interweaving of themes differentiating horn and piano make the sonatas an exceedingly vivid testimony to Schumann’s mature compositional art.

Schumann’s horn sonatas are a crucial enhancement to each horn player’s repertoire.