Saint-Saëns wrote several pieces for solo instrument and orchestral accompaniment that bear the title Morceau de concert—literally translated as concertpiece—and which act as small-scale concertos. In this piece the three contrasting movements of the standard nineteenth-century instrumental concerto are present, but consolidated into a single movement and more concise. The original scoring, which features a string orchestra augmented by three trombones, is rarely performed today.More frequently performed are arrangements for a modern concert band, which consist entirely of winds, brass, percussion, and double bass.

After a brief introductory sequence played in unison by the brass, the piece begins in F minor with a set of theme and variations, introduced first by the soloist, then powerfully echoed by the entire ensemble. After three sets of variations—each one increasing in rhythmic motion—the piece has an abrupt and deft transition into a slow and lyrical adagio section. This contrasting portion primarily features the woodwinds accompanying the soloist in the relative key of A-flat major. The section concludes peacefully with a cadence by the solo horn at the very bottom of its register. The calm mood is abruptly shattered by a stately return of the full ensemble in F minor and marked allegro non troppo. After an animated dialogue between the group and soloist, the tonality maneuvers its way to F major and races to a rousing finish, but not before  showcasing the soloist with a series of virtuosic scales, flourishes, and arpeggios.

For solo horn, piccolo, flutes I–II, oboes I–II, clarinets I–III, bass clarinet, bassoons I–II, alto saxophones I–II, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, horns I–IV, trumpets I–II, trombones I–III, euphonium, tuba, suspended cymbal, timpani, and string bass.

Composed 1887 in Paris. Arranged for solo horn and concert band by Donald Miller in 1997.