Orchestral Audition Excerpts Vault
Essential repertoire for orchestral horn auditions. Lyrical & heroic solo passages, anti-crack safety fingerings, dual-tempo practice audio, and audition committee tips.
Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64
Mvt II: Andante cantabile, con alcuna licenza
The most iconic lyrical horn solo in the orchestral repertoire. Demands seamless legato, monumental breath control, and noble cantabile tone.
Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, Op. 28
Opening Horn Solo (Sehr lebhaft)
The ultimate dexterity and articulation test. Famous for its lightning-fast upward arpeggio and mischievous character.
Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125
Mvt III: Adagio molto e cantabile (4th Horn Solo)
The definitive audition solo for 4th (low) horn players. Requires masterful low register tone quality, flexible natural crooking technique, and graceful scale runs.
Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68
Mvt IV: Più Andante (Alphorn Theme)
Brahms' celebrated Alpine horn call. Written as a birthday greeting to Clara Schumann ("High on the mountain, deep in the dale..."). Demands open-hearted resonance and pure natural horn intonation.
Pavane pour une infante défunte
Opening Solo (Lent)
The legendary "silent killer" in audition rounds. Opening with an ultra-soft pp dolce high G4 in extreme fragility, where the slightest tremor causes a disastrous cracked note.
Symphony No. 5 in C-sharp minor
Mvt III: Scherzo (Corno obligato Solo)
The monumental Corno Obligato solo in Mahler 5. Required in final audition rounds worldwide for extreme dynamic contrast, heroic projection, and high D5 stability.
Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 83
Mvt I: Allegro non troppo (Opening Horn Solo)
The majestic opening horn solo introducing the monumental piano concerto. Requires noble lyricism, pristine pitch centers, and complex Horn in Bb basso transposition mastery.
Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 55 ("Eroica")
Mvt III: Scherzo - Trio (3 Horns Fanfare)
The legendary hunting trio for three horns in Beethoven’s Eroica. Renowned in orchestral auditions for rapid staccato articulation, bouncy 3/4 hunting lilt, and Horn in Eb transposition.
Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47
Mvt I: Moderato (Low Horns Unison Climax)
The definitive audition benchmark for low horn players (2nd & 4th Horn). Ferocious militaristic power, brutal low-register projection, and iron-fisted rhythmic precision.
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40
Opening Hero Motif (Lebhaft bewegt)
The ultimate audition showcase of raw physical stamina and majestic tone. Opening with huge sweeping leaps across two octaves in heroic Eb major splendor.
How Orchestra Audition Panels Decide in the First 30 Seconds
Behind the audition screen, juries evaluate candidates purely on acoustic execution without seeing the player:
Zero Split Notes or Hesitation
In solos like Tchaikovsky 5 or Till Eulenspiegel, the initial note must sound pure with zero fluff or split harmonics.
Expressive Rubato Must Not Disturb Pulse
In Beethoven 9 or Ravel Pavane, phrasing can sing freely but structural beats must land with absolute rhythmic integrity.
Warm & Resonant, Never Brittle or Harsh
The French horn bridges woodwinds and brass. Even in fortissimo, tone must remain velvety, deep and centered without cracking.
Get the Official French Horn Audition & Warmup Handbook (PDF)
Includes complete Mozart concerto transposition fingerings, 15-minute warmup sequence, 360° water emptying choreography, and used horn compression checklist.