Sonata for Tenor Horn and Piano

Composed in 2006, Sonata for Tenor Horn and Piano by Benjamin Tubb-Hearne showcases the technical and expressive capabilities of the tenor horn. Written during his time studying Tenor Horn and Composition at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, the work quickly drew attention for its idiomatic and virtuosic writing for the instrument.

Structured in three movements, the sonata explores a wide tonal palette, including the use of less commonly heard cuivré timbres.

1. Fanfare: The first movement focuses on the exploration of intervals, precision, and the hunting character of the tenor horn. Quartal harmonies dominate the texture, serving as a homage to the RNCM’s president at the time, Edward Gregson. The movement concludes with a technically challenging lip-slurring passage, demonstrating the instrument’s versatility.
2. Ballad: The second movement highlights the lyrical and melodic qualities of the tenor horn. It has been performed internationally in a variety of arrangements, including versions for string quartet and vibraphone, brass band, and the original piano accompaniment, and remains one of the composer’s most enduring works.
3. Scherzo: The final movement brings the sonata to an energetic conclusion, focusing on the dexterity and rhythmic precision of the instrument. Featuring complex cross-rhythms, rapid semiquaver passages, and a demanding cadenza, the movement concludes with a thematic reference to the opening, culminating in a final fanfare.

This is a digital immediate download PDF.