Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Three Colloquies, for horn and orchestra (1979)
Philip Myers, horn
New York Philharmonic
Zubin Mehta
William Schuman wrote "Three Colloquies" at the request of the New York Philharmonic. Schuman saw an opportunity to expand his horn knowledge following a horn solo in his work "Young Dead Soldiers." He didn't want to write a horn concerto as a starting point; he wanted to avoid it becoming a work full of virtuosity. The working title "French Horn Fantasy" was also dropped because the composer realized it wouldn't become a fantasy either. He ended up with the title "Three Colloquies," colloquies meaning "conversation."
The work consists of three movements which must be played without a break:
I. Rumination (meditation); in this largely slow movement, the horn gradually emerges as a solo instrument; the movement ends with a repeat of the opening; an important part is reserved for the timpani.
II. Renewal; the fast movement; itself has a three-part structure, in which the horn "makes contact" with the orchestra; the movement is concluded by a fading timpani part.
III. Remembrance; the theme from the first movement returns in several orchestral groups; the work ends with the horn heard over muted strings.
Philip F. Myers, hornist with the NYP, was the soloist at the premiere on January 24, 1980, conducted by Zubin Mehta. This ensemble performed the work several times afterward. They are also the performers on the only recording, released in 1987 by New World Records. [NW 326-2]
Art by Thomas Andréa Barbey
Three Colloquies, for horn and orchestra (1979)
Philip Myers, horn
New York Philharmonic
Zubin Mehta
William Schuman wrote "Three Colloquies" at the request of the New York Philharmonic. Schuman saw an opportunity to expand his horn knowledge following a horn solo in his work "Young Dead Soldiers." He didn't want to write a horn concerto as a starting point; he wanted to avoid it becoming a work full of virtuosity. The working title "French Horn Fantasy" was also dropped because the composer realized it wouldn't become a fantasy either. He ended up with the title "Three Colloquies," colloquies meaning "conversation."
The work consists of three movements which must be played without a break:
I. Rumination (meditation); in this largely slow movement, the horn gradually emerges as a solo instrument; the movement ends with a repeat of the opening; an important part is reserved for the timpani.
II. Renewal; the fast movement; itself has a three-part structure, in which the horn "makes contact" with the orchestra; the movement is concluded by a fading timpani part.
III. Remembrance; the theme from the first movement returns in several orchestral groups; the work ends with the horn heard over muted strings.
Philip F. Myers, hornist with the NYP, was the soloist at the premiere on January 24, 1980, conducted by Zubin Mehta. This ensemble performed the work several times afterward. They are also the performers on the only recording, released in 1987 by New World Records. [NW 326-2]
Art by Thomas Andréa Barbey
