This work by Paul Dukas was written as an examination piece for the Paris Conservatory.  It is one movement that is through composed and the unifying motive of the piece is based on a hunting call.  Dukas indicates on that first page be played on the natural horn; today it is frequently performed on the modern instrument often without valves.  The piece requires a delicate touch and sensitivity to long phrasing.  It has both muted and stopped passages and requires a mastery of the horn’s large range.  The piece is both lyrically and technically difficult and demands that the performer have good endurance.  This work, a standard in the horn’s repertoire, is often found on competition lists.