Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, 1756-1791. Concerto No. 4 in E flat Major for Horn and Orchestra, K. 495. Completed June 26, 1786. Scored for 2 oboes, optional bassoon, 2 horns, solo horn, and strings.
In his short life, Mozart managed to master almost every known musical form, including symphonies, operas, songs, chamber music, and of course concertos for soloists accompanied by an orchestra. The composer wrote piano concertos for himself, but for other instruments he was dependent on the abilities of his Vienna colleagues.
All of Mozart's horn concertos were written for Ignaz Leitgeb (or Leutgeb), a Salzburg-born hornist of considerable talent. The two musicians apparently had a very friendly relationship, because the concertos are filled with jokes: an instruction in the First reads ``Courage!'', and the Fourth is written with multicolored inks, apparently in an attempt to rattle the performer. Like its predecessors, the Fourth Concerto is a virtuoso vehicle that allows the soloist to show a variety of abilities. In the final ``hunt'' movement, even a modern player with the advantage of the latest valve technology will be hard pressed to keep up with the musical demands invented 200 years ago by the master melodist who just wanted to have a bit of fun with a good friend.
© 1999, Geoff Kuenning
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