Alan Danson – On The Way (Horn Quartet) – Score Digital Download

These fine miniatures for horn quartet are the first of two sets intended as a way of providing the young horn student with the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the quartet sound and experience. Traditional harmony prevails, providing the musicians with the opportunity to hear and work at sectional balance and part discipline. These quartets are a lighter addition to the Fripperies. For the intermediate student.

Review: "On the Way consists of four movements. The first is a March which is heralded by a simple fanfare figure. The march itself has some clever touches for such an easy piece. It makes good use of imitation and keeps sneaking into a 'Lydian' mode to make it more interesting – that means it has E naturals in B flat major! It ends with final calls from the first horn as the march goes off into the distance. The second movement is a very short Lullaby and therefore aptly subtitled 'Cat Nap'. It is in 6/8 and lilts along comfortably with the lead line being shared out between the first and third horns. There is a 9/8 bar thrown in for good measure to catch out those not concentrating. Close harmonies are used effectively throughout. There is a Charleston-like dance for the third movement, which allows the fourth horn a share of the limelight with a punchy bass line and a couple of ascending scale passages, one of which is again in a Lydian mode. The Finale is a lively gallop which is introduced using bare fifths. The players are divided into pairs, with an alternating on versus off beat rhythm. The writing is very hornistic and lies mostly on the harmonics. It gives a rousing end to a well thought out quartet. This collection in particular must surely have a place in the repertoire as an alternative to the 'Fripperies'. I do hope Alan will be inspired to write more."-  Lindsay Robinson, The Horn Magazine

Review: "Alan Danson has composed a fine set of 4 pieces for a young quartet. Well written for the level." – News Notes September 1994

Biography

Danson, Alan

Alan Danson's studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London were in Horn, Piano and Orchestration. After leaving college in 1974, he worked as a freelance horn player in West End shows, with Ballet companies, Symphony Orchestras and studios, whilst retaining his interest in composition. He has directed the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in commercial work, worked as an arranger for BBC TV and composed for TV commercials. He is also involved in musical education. His development as a composer was as a result of his work experience in studying scores, observing compositional techniques whilst playing and directing groups, and composing for various musical combinations. See www.sounddimensionsmusic.com