Opus 139:

 

More than Sixty-Four Solos for horn
Based on Richard Burdick’s I Ching Scales
Written in the Fall & Winter 2003-4
In Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
By Richard Burdick, Opus 139

 

 

My scales based on the patterns of the I Ching have now gone through four revisions; this work and my horn duets opus 132 are the most important works using the second revision of the scales.

This work is intended as very advanced etudes or as recital/concert pieces, or even music to replace some of the standard orchestra; excerpts for auditions. My goal was for 64 different piece all contrasting.

These were written during my first winter in Canada; really the first winter I ever experienced, since I grew up in California without snow. This is also before I build my own recording studio, which was a significant change in my life. For these solos, I didn't write without an instrument in front of me as I usually do. I sat in front of the TV set with a practice mute in my horn and pillows around me. I improvised on my scales writing these solos down from the improvisations. Slowly working through about ten solos at a time adding a little each day.

Richard O. Burdick

Starting September 14th 2008 I will be posting a new solo each week. I will do this in order 1 through 64 (plus the extra one) for a total of sixty-five weeks!

November 30th starts the fiftieth week! (the weeks are back to one week long, being changed sometime on Mondays, I will no longer be posting the sheet music, you'll need to buy the books when they come out. Even strange composers need to be supported.)

The recording is me (Richard Burdick) in a single recording.
The recordings I am posting will all be without any splices.
I am working on non-stop "one-take" recordings.
This is for two reasons: 1) I am still working on being a better horn player, and trying to play non-stop through the duets flawlessly is the sort of challenge I need.
2)I want to prove that the duets can be played, sometimes only after hard work, sometime quite easily.

I am currently (9-2008) using an array of five mics, each recording a mono track, this gives me the full sound I have been looking for in my recordings. This helps capture the depth of the horn.

If you are listen to an orchestra with your eyes closed, most instrument locations can be pin-pointed, the horns spread every where. Thus the recording of the whole room sound really good.

All contents of this web site are protected under copyright. The sheet music and recording here should not be downloaded. Any public performances of this work should be reported to ASCAP

Richard Burdick performs his fiftieth solo from "More than 64 solos for Horn" opus 139
in a non-stop one-take recording!

If your are enjoying these, please consider buying a copy of the music, or let me know you want a CD when it comes out.

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