Five Songs: Horn, Solo with Piano, Solo with Piano (LUDWIGMASTERS)

Sterling Procter's transcriptions honor the structural integrity of Fauré's melodies while exploiting everything the horn's warm, singing voice can offer. These five songs represent some of the most gratifying solo literature available at the intermediate-to-advanced level: the music is sophisticated without being showy, and the piano part remains genuinely collaborative rather than subordinate. For performers accustomed to standard horn concertos and sonatas, this collection opens a completely different expressive world, one where elegance and restraint carry as much weight as technical brilliance.

Intimate without being fragile. The horn's natural warmth blends seamlessly with Fauré's refined harmonic language, creating a sound that feels both elegant and deeply personal. You'll hear yourself playing music that belongs in a recital hall, not a circus.

Intermediate to advanced horn players seeking repertoire beyond the standard concerto and sonata literature will find genuine artistic nourishment here. These works suit musicians preparing for upper-level jury requirements, chamber music performances, or concert programs that value variety and sophistication.

• Shape the phrase rather than the note. Fauré's melodies breathe across bar lines, so resist the urge to land on each written note with equal weight; instead, carry the line forward with subtle dynamic momentum.
• Communicate constantly with your pianist about tempo and rubato. These transcriptions preserve the delicate timing Fauré's original vocal lines require; rushing or mechanically holding steady time will flatten their expressive potential.
• Explore half-valve colorations and softer dynamic ranges than you might normally use. The horn's intimacy in the middle and lower registers perfectly captures the salon atmosphere these pieces demand.
• Pay close attention to the piano's harmonic shifts, especially in the accompaniment figures. Your phrasing should acknowledge those harmonic changes, allowing the listener to hear the full richness of Fauré's writing.

Program these songs as standalone recital pieces or as a thoughtfully curated set that demonstrates range and musicality. A pairing of two or three of these works with a contemporary solo or a standard sonata creates compelling contrast and shows discerning programming; they also make excellent vehicles for showcasing artistic maturity in a studio recital or degree-requirement performance.

• Long-phrase construction and breath planning in the context of vocal melody
• Sensitive collaboration with piano, including rubato coordination and harmonic awareness
• Dynamic and tonal control in the horn's middle and lower registers
• Musical interpretation of text-derived melodic contour (understanding the original vocal settings enriches phrasing choices)
• Stylistic awareness of the French mélodie tradition