Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Tamino's Aria

Tamino's Aria from Mozart's 'The Magic Flute' represents a supreme achievement for the lyrical operatic tenor aria in music. Despite its being overused and usually under-sung (it remains one of the most difficult for tenors), Mozart somehow instilled in this music the quality never to grow tiresome to the ear. It remains fresh, new and moving even after repeated hearings. In this arrangement the horn has been chosen as soloist partly because its lyrical qualities lend themselves well to the aria and partly because the conical sound of the horn helps set it apart from the cylindrical accompanying instruments. In spite of these considerations the solo line in the horn can easily be lost if care is not taken by the accompaniment to remain subordinate. P. K.