Duo no. 5 for two horns, KV 487: Larghetto

About this work

Duet no. 5, K. 487 is marked Larghetto. The two horns share a singing line built from short answers, sustained intervals and stepwise motion. Dynamics frequently pass from one part to the other, so expression comes from the lines meeting rather than from a soloist with accompaniment.
Sustain the line without slowing it down
Choose a tempo that allows the phrase to breathe while still moving forward. Tune sustained notes from the lower voice first, then add quavers and short runs with a consistent attack. Shared crescendos should grow across the full measure instead of swelling on every individual note.
The one-page PDF contains both sections and their repeats. The MIDI file offers a useful guide to entries and cadences. This engraving by Han-Wen Nienhuys is provided by the Mutopia Project and is in the public domain. Find more horn music on LesPartitions.info.