Vinter, G :: Hunter's Moon

Musicians Publications presents Gilbert Vinter s Hunter s Moon arranged for woodwind quintet with French Horn feature by Bill Holcombe Jr.

Vinter s Hunter s Moon is a comical rendition of a hunter who decides to go for a ride under the wrong conditions. This work for horn and orchestra was composed in 1942 and plays upon the widely used characteristic of the horn as a signaling instrument during the hunt. The hunter has prepared himself for the chase by imbibing one too many spirits and therefore is quite unsteady in his seat. The music depicts him shooting at his prey, which is portrayed by the use of stopped horn, the technique of blowing into the horn while the right hand covers the opening of the bell, creating an edgy and nasal sound. The ride takes him through brambles and bushes, causing him to be thrown from his horse. Knocked unconscious, he begins to dream of the beautiful maiden Diana, the goddess of the hunt. This passage is full of lyrical lines. The dream ends and he is back on his horse as the music returns to a gallop. The piece concludes with heroic horn glissandi as his chase continues. -The President s Own United States Marine Band, 2015

While this is scored for the traditional woodwind quintet of flute, oboe, clarinet, french horn, and bassoon, it is undeniably a french horn feature true to the nature of the original work. It is advanced in difficulty for the perfomers.