Elegy (for Herbert A. Spencer) was written to musically express both the emotions of loss and the joyful memories of his exceptional teacher. In the words of the composer ” When hopelessness and darkness seem all encompassing, an off-stage horn enters. This voice, the voice of Herb Spencer, offers serenity and reassurance to those living in his absence. Upon the on-stage horn’s re-entry, only an accompaniment without melody is heard. The voicing of the last chord in the piano crosses the accompanists' thumbs, signaling my reluctant acceptance of his passing, with hands folded.”

Herb Spencer was professor of horn at Bowling Green State University for 29 years.  The composer was his student for the final four years. He passed away in September 2000 of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease.)

Written as a gift to this renowned horn player’s widow, Elegy was premiered in 2005 at the 37th International Horn Society Summer Symposium by Grammy Award Winner Andrew Pelletier.

This is an incredibly beautiful and sensitive addition to the solo horn literature by this talented composer.

The audio excerpt is from the live premiere performance, Andrew Pelletier, soloist. (Used with permission.)

All of the composer's royalties are being donated to The Herbert Spencer Student Horn Fund. If you wish to make an additional contribution, please send a tax deductible donation to: BGSU Foundation, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403.  Make all checks payable to “BGSU Foundation” and please write “Herbert Spencer Student Horn Fund” in the memo line of your check.

Composer: Ryan Nowlin
Instrumentation: F Horn & Piano
Duration/# of Pages: ca. 8:35 / 11 pages, 8.5″ x 11″
Key: N/A