Mountain Sketches for horn and piano

Mountain Sketches for Horn and Piano was written for hornist Katherine Carothers McBain and premiered in March 2014. Composed during a residency at the Brush Creek Foundation for the Arts, the piece was inspired by Wyoming’s incredible landscapes. The four-movement work blends elements of classical music and jazz. The first movement, primarily a waltz, features soaring horn lines and jazz-inspired harmonies. The rhythmically inventive second movement includes a playful contrapuntal section. The third movement is a nocturne that features a melody in the horn over extended harmonies in the piano. A spirited theme and rhythmic accompaniment characterize the final movement of the piece. Altogether, the work is intended to be fun for both performers and audiences.  This composition was chosen as the 2014 International Horn Society Featured Division Winner.