The Art of the Horn

For those of you who do not yet know me well, my greatest passion is classical music. Such emotion, such expression... Words cannot describe it, and that is why the composers seldom try to use them.

But it is not just the orchestral sound that I love so much. While the musicians are phenomenally talented and hard-working, and they do carve magnificent temporal sculptures, it is not the sound of strings that I love the most.

For me, it is in the art of the French horn where I find meaning in life. Considered by many to be one of the most difficult instruments to play, it takes someone with a well-trained ear to play it well. But in exchange for the incredible talent required, the horn is capable of playing one of the most versatile roles in the brass family, and possibly in the entire orchestra.

Composers often refer to the horn as "the glue of the orchestra," and they're right. The horn has a much more mellow sound than any other brass instrument (partially due to the fact that it is played with one hand inside the bell), and this allows it to blend well with any other instrument group. Unfortunately, many composers see this as the only role the horn can play, and they are sadly mistaken.

The horn, as mellow as it is, can execute lyric passages with great expression and well-crafted tone; however, it can also bite when needed. The best composers know how to make full use of the horn's capabilites.

As versatile as the horn can be, playing it well takes years of practice. Above you can see four professional horn players from the Minnesota Orchestra. You can click on them to find out more about each of them. Clicking on the stage door will bring you back here. I hope you have enjoyed this little tour of the world of horn playing!