Northern Spire
the music of Philip Spaeth
Fantasia on "Hosanna to the Son of David"
for Four Horns (2008)
approx. 7 min 45 sec
-
premiered 2008
University of Connecticut Horn Ensemble
(As part of the 2008 Northeast Horn Conference)
The Church of St. Peter
Saratoga Springs, NY
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.
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