IDIOM was written at the request of Philip Myers who was a friend and colleague of the composer when they both performed with the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The name, IDIOM comes from the style of writing which reflects the typical use of the French horn in Romantic composition. There are the hunting calls, the hand-stopped stings, the long melodic lines, and the waltz...all taken from the customary uses of the instrument and developed into the original work for solo horn.

An abridged version of IDIOM (included in this file) can be performed as is or further shortened by cutting from one asterisk to any other that comes later in the work.

The beautifully performed sample track is played by Howard Wall, Hornist with the New York Philharmonic, taken from his solo recording Horn Monologues for sale on Amazon and elsewhere.

The Confessions of St. Augustine is a solo for Unaccompanied Horn in F written by Canadian violinist/composer Erika Raum.

St. Augustine (of Hippo) was a 5th Century convert to Christianity who was one of the first philosophers and theologians of the faith. He went on to write a number of important works including the autobiographical work Confessions, a series of thirteen books outlining his sinful youth and eventual conversion to Christianity.

Ms. Raum's music, in four sections features the following tabloids:

Youth and Pagan Beginnings, The Mystical Voice of the Child in the Garden, St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, The Debate at the Baths of Sozius.

This work of almost 7 minutes in length is very expressive, with many contrasting sections and complex rhythms, and is rather moderate in range, being accessible to moderately advanced to advanced performers.

The beautifully performed sample track from the horn version of this work (up a 5th from the trombone version) is played by Howard Wall, Hornist of the New York Philharmonic, taken from his solo recording Horn Monologues for sale on Amazon and elsewhere.

This edition is available as an eBook on iTunes and Kindle.