Georg Friedrich Händel

15 Pieces for two horns

For 2 horns - score 13 p.

The present collection of horn duets is based on miscellaneous movements from operas and oratorios by Georg Friedrich Händel (1685-1759). The first five pieces are taken from Händel's opera Arianna in Creta (1733). No. 6 to 15 are based on the horn parts of various choruses and arias from other operas and oratorios. Since most of the original works are based on simple dance tunes, Jeurissen reduced the sometimes redundant and elaborated music into concise dance-like horn duets.

Suite No. 1 Arianna in Creta (2 horns in D)
1. Sinfonia: aria 'Deh! Lascia un tal desio' (original in B-flat)
2. Siciliana: final chorus
3. Air: aria 'In mar temestoso'
4. Minuet: introduction to the First act
5. Giga: aria 'Qail Leon, che fere irato'

Suite No. 2 in D major
6. Fanfare: chorus of Asiates (2nd act) from Alexander Balus
7. Minuet: final chorus from Admeto (original in F)
8. Air: final chorus from Sosarme (original in F)
9. Gavotta: final chorus from Atalanta
10. Giga: aria 'Se contente fai mia brama' from Radamisto

Suite No. 3 in F major
11. Entrée: final chorus from Scipione (original in G)
12. Passepied: final chorus from Tolomeo
13. Marche from Floridante
14. Air: aria 'Alle sfere della gloria' from Sosarne
15. Minuet: Bacchus chorus from Alexander's Feast

In the world of horn and brass ensemble music from the 18th and 19th centuries, original high-quality ensemble repertoire appears to be scarce. Additionally, students and advanced amateurs are rarely given the opportunity to perform important Romantic symphonic works by Bruckner, Mahler etc. and Wagner's great operas in their original versions. Orchestral part studies with only the original parts, and above all, a lot of rest are not always inspiring. For this reason, throughout his extensive career as a horn pedagogue, Herman Jeurissen wrote a considerable number of arrangements. These include shorter compositions by the great masters, allowing for an accessible introduction to their style and writing.