Sonata, for horn and piano, by Gavin Lendt

Sonata for Horn and Piano was written for Gavin Lendt’s composition Master’s recital at the University of Kansas. This three movement work explores various styles and aspects that encompass the modern horn player.

This work begins with an aggressive style of playing, almost angry. The sonata demands strong technical and musical ability from the horn player to pull it off correctly. This movement is a non-stop tour de force audacious energy. Near the end of the first movement however, the temper relaxes a bit with a musical apology for being too aggressive.

The second movement is an introspective, thoughtful section, contrasting with the outer two movements more bombastic style. The opening of movement begins with bars of the soloist playing the single note G and concludes with the same music, but on a D. The movement is mostly in 5/8 with multiple dissonance, but never to the point of being harsh. Of the three movements, this is musically the most challenging because of its contrasting emotional styles.

The third movement of the horn sonata seemingly appears to be the most straight forward at first. This work pays homage to the 6/8 third movements of the horn concertos by Mozart and Strauss. Unlike the first movement of this sonata, which is aggressive, this movement is lighter in style and more playful. The climax of the movement is a direct copy of the second movement’s climax, albeit in a faster tempo.