Michael Kallstrom's works for horn and piano or electronics: a pedagogical and performance guide

Because there are limited resources for horn players who begin studying, practicing, and performing contemporary pieces for horn and electronics, this document offers a guide to the preparation and performance of the three works for horn and electronics or piano by American composer Michael Kallstrom: Eastern Brilliance, Around the Clock and Brothers in Arms. Inexperienced horn players may find the task of preparing a horn and electronics piece foreign and perplexing, and the experience of performing it with the electronic accompaniment even more disconcerting. By identifying the technical difficulties in these three works, as well as offering pedagogical suggestions to students preparing them, it is my sincere hope this document will make the preparation of these works less daunting and will inspire performers to master and to perform Kallstrom’s pieces, as well as other contemporary works for horn and electronics.