Northern Spire
the music of Philip Spaeth
Fantasia on "Hosanna to the Son of David"
for Four Horns (2008)
approx. 7 min 45 sec
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premiered 2008
University of Connecticut Horn Ensemble
(As part of the 2008 Northeast Horn Conference)
The Church of St. Peter
Saratoga Springs, NY
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About Fantasia on "Hosanna to the Son of David"
Fantasia on "Hosanna to the Son of David" (2008) was composed for the 2008 Northeast Horn Conference, as a way to bring part of the conference into the wider community of Saratoga Springs, where the conference was hosted. Because a horn quartet was to perform at St. Peter's on Palm Sunday, I thought it appropriate to compose a prelude piece based upon the chant "Hosanna to the Son of David", which traditionally begins the Mass on that day. The piece was performed beautifully by a student quartet from the University of Connecticut, bringing the sound of horns to an appreciative parish community. The piece is, at the end of the day, a solid theme-and-variations-style work that can fit well into any horn ensemble's repertoire.
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While I do not have a recording of the premiere performance, a MIDI rendering is available below.
Performance History
March 16, 2008
world premiere
The Church of St. Peter | Saratoga Springs, NY
University of Connecticut Horn Ensemble