Sounds of line: download score

Sounds of Line - Rhythm
Sounds of Line - Melody
For 4 prepared French horns
duration ca. 7 minutes

Sounds of Line was first performed in Mittersill, Austria by the Salzburg Horn Quartet. The second performance took place in Salzburg in October 2000 and was subsequently broadcast by the Austrian Radio Federation (ORF) in December 2000.

It is worth experimenting with placing the horns around the performance space, especially if the room is small and the players are comfortable with this idea.

A good configuration follows:

First horn stands on the stage with third horn directly opposite at the back of the hall. 2nd horn is on the right (facing stage) and 4th horn is on the left. Standing waves and other beating patterns can be discovered across the space because of the close tuning.

This score includes minor revisions, made following rehearsals with the ensemble.

Preparation of horns: Sounds of Line - Rhythm

Each player removes the first finger valve slide on the F side leaving an open tube.
The code F:1 is used above the note when that finger position is required. Subsequent fingerings follow logically: F:1|2, F:1|3, F:1|2|3. Otherwise, play the written pitches as comfortably as possible.

NOTE:
The first valve should only be removed on horns where the air reaches that valve last (Paxman models for example). On horns where the air reaches the first finger valve before going to valves 2 and 3, the 3rd valve slider should be removed instead (This is the case for Alexander horns for example). Simply alter the fingerings by swapping the number 1 with 3 where appropriate.

Preparation of horns: Sounds of Line - Melody

Horns three and four should push F and Bb tuning slides in almost fully.
Leave the valve slides. The idea is to play severely sharp of horns 1 and 2.