Mozart Horn Concerto No. 3 in E-flat Major, K.447
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791)
Download free printable Mozart Horn Concerto No. 3 in Eb K.447 PDF. The only Mozart concerto featuring clarinets and bassoons, with Romanze expressive guide.
Audition & Examination Criteria
Frequently chosen in audition second rounds to test the soloist’s ability to blend seamlessly with woodwinds and sustain long, expressive phrases without tension.
- Sustained lyrical air column in the second movement Romanze
- Delicate chamber balance when trading musical lines with clarinets
- Poise and buoyancy in the final 6/8 Allegro Rondo
- Subtle tonal darkening for the C minor development excursion
Mozart Horn Concerto No. 3 in E-flat Major, K.447 · Acoustic Profile & Audition Prescriptions
| Parameter | Specification | Prescription & Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Original Crook | Horn in E♭ (C3 to A♭5) | Frequently chosen in audition second rounds to test the soloist’s ability to blend seamlessly with woodwinds and sustain long, expressive phrases without tension. |
| Key & Tempo | E-flat Major · 4/4, 2/2, 6/8 (Allegro -> Romance: Larghetto -> Allegro) | Sustained lyrical air column in the second movement Romanze |
| Stage 1 | Slow Long-Tone Phrasing on Romance Opening (G4 / B♭4 / E♭5) | Play the Romance opening at an ultra-slow tempo (♩ = 50). Feel the line flowing like smooth silk, utilizing gentle "Doo" articulations rather than hard attacks. |
| Stage 2 | Development Chromatic Progression Intonation Tuning (F#4 / G#4) | The minor development features frequent accidentals. Practice with a metronome and tuner to balance leading-tone tendencies between sharps and flats. |
Practice Steps & Fingering Tactics
Slow Long-Tone Phrasing on Romance Opening
G4 / B♭4 / E♭5Play the Romance opening at an ultra-slow tempo (♩ = 50). Feel the line flowing like smooth silk, utilizing gentle "Doo" articulations rather than hard attacks.
Development Chromatic Progression Intonation Tuning
F#4 / G#4The minor development features frequent accidentals. Practice with a metronome and tuner to balance leading-tone tendencies between sharps and flats.
Origins & Performance Practice
Unique among Mozart’s concertos, K.447 scores two clarinets and two bassoons instead of oboes, bathing the horn in a warm, dark, woody harmonic cushion. The central Romanze (Larghetto) is arguably Mozart’s most intimate and touching lyrical creation for wind instruments.
Expert Piece FAQs
How does K.447 compare in difficulty to K.495?
K.447 is slightly less technically demanding in extreme register leaps than K.495, but demands higher finesse in dynamic shading and chamber sensitivity.
Solo Part Sheet Music (PDF)
Authoritative orchestra edition with modern Horn in F markings