Op. 85/12 Horn: Abendlied (Evening Song) by Robert Schumann Op. 85, No. 12. Duration: 3:10 Score: 3 pg. 29 ms. common time. Lento ? quarter note = 40. Piano part: 2 pg. solo part 1 pg.
Schumann Background
Robert Schumann (1810 ?1856) was a German composer and, moreover,a music critic. Music historians, as well as critics, generally agree that heis one of the greatest composers of the Romantic era. In the first place, Schumann was studying tobecome a lawyer. He quit law school, however, to pursue a career as a concert pianist. Be that as it may, he injured his hand andruined any chance of success as a virtuoso pianist. As a result, Schumann turnedhis musical attention to composing.

The Beginning of the End
In1848, Robert Schumann was in fact only 38 years old. Nevertheless, he wasalready weakening as a composer and conductor. His productivity, on thewhole, was slowing down. Furthermore, his conducting job at one of the world?soldest orchestras had come under great criticism.

Last Period
Schumannbecame inspired by the death of his friend Felix Mendelssohn theyear before. Similarly, he was stimulated by the Revolutions of 1848, andconsequently composed some of his most substantive works. It wasduring this last period of inspiration that he wrote his Scenes from Faust. Furthermore, he finishedthe Requiem for Mignon and the Introduction and Allegro for Piano & Orchestra. Next, he composed Scenes from the Forest forpiano. Finally, he composed the Twelve Four-hand Piano Worksfor Small & Large Children, Op. 85. This collection turns out, insummary, to be Schumann?s last great collection of piano literature.

Abendlied
Thefinal movement (Op.85/12) of this great collection on balance is entitled Abendlied or Evening Song. It is inessence a very effective recital encore especially following a more aggressiveor fast-paced piece. This is, in either case, a chance to develop long rubatophrases and demonstrate your musical sensitivity. This music, for the mostpart, sets a quiet, mysterious, and somewhat melancholy mood reminiscent ofevening-time just after sunset when the shadows become long and the sky beginsto darken.

This is a collection of 10 easy pieces from the Romantic period that have been arranged for French Horn in F and Piano. This collection is particularly useful for students in their first courses, as it provides excellent material for both essays and concerts.
Easy keys and range for F Horn
Easy Piano accompaniment
Musical themes taken from the original compositions:
Largo from ?New World Symphony? ? A. Dvorák
Theme from "Le Streghe" - N. Paganini
Melody in F ? A. Rubinstein
Soldier March ? R. Schumann
The Great Gate of Kiev - M. Mussorgsky
Theme from "New World Symphony" (IV mov.) - A. Dvorák
Theme from "Symphony n. 1" (IV mov.) - J. Brahms
Theme from "Symphony n. 5" (II mov.) - L. van Beethoven
Theme from "Symphony n. 7" (II mov.) - L. van Beethoven
Theme from "Swane Lake" - P. I. Tchaikovsky.

The Wedding Album is a collection of four beautiful and timeless wedding favourites, arranged for Solo Horn in F with Piano accompaniment. Whether for that Special Day, for a recital, or for your own entertainment, these arrangements are ideal for players at an intermediate level or higher. The 24-page file includes the piano accompaniments and the separate solo parts at the end.

Ave Maria was written by Franz Schubert in 1825 as the sixth song in his song cycle based on Walter Scott?s poem The Lady of the Lake. It is perhaps the best known of all his melodies, adapted for piano by Franz Liszt, and for orchestra many times since. It is often sung with the Latin lyrics of the Catholic hymn of the same name and has been heard everywhere from the Disney movie Fantasia to the funeral of J.F. Kennedy.

The Bridal March was written by Richard Wagner in 1850, scored for orchestra and chorus, and opening the third act of his opera, Lohingren. It is best known in the English-speaking world as ?Here Comes the Bride?. Queen Victoria?s daughter used the music for her marriage in 1858, and its popularity has endured ever since.

The Prince of Denmark?s March is better known nowadays as the Trumpet Voluntary and is often used in wedding ceremonies. It was in fact written for organ, with the melody played on the?trumpet stop?. Written around 1700, for many years this piece was mistakenly attributed to Henry Purcell. Only recently has it been established that the composer was Jeremiah Clarke, organist at St Paul?s Cathedral. It is somewhat ironic that this composer of a wedding mainstay was himself a victim of unrequited love. He consequently shot himself in the cathedral graveyard.

Felix Mendelssohn?s Wedding March was originally written in 1842 as incidental music to Shakespeare?s famousplay, Midsummer Night?s Dream. When Queen Victoria?s daughter used the music for her marriage in 1858, it became instantly popular and has remained a wedding favourite ever since.

Score: 11 pages, solo part: 3 pages, piano part: 5 pages. Duration: 4:20. This is a popular recital piece that would work well also in church or school programs.