From PEL Music Publications, W 1761 River Oaks Drive, Marinette, WI 54143; www.pelmusic.com.

Forest Green for horn and piano by John Jay Hilfiger. PEL 104-14, 2006, $8.00.

Forest Echo for horn and piano by John Jay Hilfiger. PEL 104-13, 2006, $8.50.

The original folksong Forest Green has been around for a long time and has been adapted for many different purposes.  The most recognizable use of the tune is as an alternative for "O Little Town of Bethlehem" in some hymn books, but it has been used for other hymns as well.  Thus, many will find this tune familiar, and perhaps have multiple uses for it.  Hilfiger's adaptation is clearly for a younger player, with a range of a ninth (c'-d"), short duration (two verses and a short interlude), and a comfortable sharing of the melody between horn and piano, giving young hornists opportunities to rest.  I can see this being used by all levels as an easy piece for a church gig or as a first recital piece.

In a similar vein, Forest Echo is also for younger players, but challenges them a bit more.  A 6/8 meter, a wider and higher tessitura (a-g"), and the use of stopped horn, makes this more of a challenge, but at the same time offers a step forward in acquiring technique.  As might be expected from the title, short stopped phrases create the echo, and these show a bit of Hilfiger's experience - they appear only as echo effects, so the player knows what they sound like and thus only has to match the pitches they just played open.  This short piece is more difficult, but still makes for a useful early recital piece.  JS

HORN CALL, February, 2008