Reflective Mettle for French Horn, Piano + Optional Electronics

REFLECTIVE METTLE
for French Horn & Piano + Optional Electronics
by Daniel Kelley #40062

Reflective Mettle by Daniel Kelley is a fantastical contemporary work for French Horn, Piano, and optional Electronics, commissioned in 2024 by Hollywood horn legend Jim Thatcher. Part of Thatcher’s Cor Strength venture, this approximately 7-minute work combines the expressive power of the French horn with piano and electronic sound to create an engaging and adventurous concert experience.

Designed with performance flexibility in mind, Reflective Mettle can be performed in three different configurations, making it suitable for horn recitals, contemporary music concerts, competitions, and advanced performance settings.

Three Performance Options

Horn & Piano with Recorded Electronics
Perform live with French horn and piano while the electronic part is played from the supplied audio files, using a click track.

Live Horn with Recorded Piano & Electronics
The horn player performs live while the piano and electronic parts are provided through the recorded audio files, also using a click track.

Horn & Piano Alone
For a more traditional chamber music presentation, the work can be performed live for French horn and piano without the electronics.

Contemporary French Horn Repertoire

At approximately 7 minutes, Reflective Mettle is an accessible-length contemporary work that offers advanced horn players an opportunity to explore extended sonic possibilities while maintaining the expressive and powerful character of the French horn. The optional electronics create an expanded musical environment and add another dimension to the performance.

Ideal for French horn recitals, contemporary horn repertoire, competitions, university performances, professional concerts, and adventurous chamber music programs.

Performance Information

Audio files and detailed instructions are provided for performing the electronic versions of the work, including information for using the click track.

Reflective Mettle is a distinctive addition to the contemporary French horn and piano repertoire, offering performers the choice of traditional chamber performance or an expanded experience incorporating recorded piano and electronic sound.

Information on how to perform with our Audio Files HERE