Méditation from "Thaïs" Jules Massenet (1842-1912) trans. Tony Rickard Jules Massenet is noted for his extraordinary craft of melody. He wrote more than 25 operas, several oratorios and cantatas, and over 250 songs. Méditation, originally for violin and orchestra, is extracted from his most famous opera, Thaïs. His expressive lyricism translates easily from his celebrated vocal style to violin, and here, to the romantic depths of the horn. Sonata for Horn and Piano Josef Rheinberger (1839-1901) While Lichtenstein native Josef Rheinberger is most associated with his contribution to the organ literature, he was a prolific composer of many other genres, including choral music, operas, symphonies and chamber works, among which resides the Sonata for Horn and Piano. This sonata was written when Rheinberger was 55 years old, and embodies a warm Romantic style that is rich without being over-sentimental. A keyboard prodigy himself, Rheinberger dem...