Horn Concerto No. 1

In 1882 Richard Strauss wrote his Horn Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major, Op. 11. The horn concerto has become the most frequently performed horn concerto written in the 19th Century. At the age of 18 whilst a philosophy student at Munich University, having recently completed his 'Violin Concerto' and 'Cello Sonata', Strauss wrote his first horn concerto.

His father Franz Strauss was one of the leading horn players of his day, and the fact that Richard grew up with the sound of the horn in his house led to his exploration of the great potential of the horn as both a solo and orchestral instrument.

The concerto is in three movements (Allegro, Andante, Allegro) which are played continuously and is typical of Strauss' music at this time in being Romantic in style, showing the influence of Mendelssohn. Swiss arranger (and horn player) Simon Scheiwiller transcribed the Horn Concerto No.1 for Horn and Symphonic Band.