A concise, modern method for the natural horn, developed with the needs of horn players in mind. This updated second edition is focused toward introducing the natural horn effectively for players who already play the valved horn and wish to learn the older instrument. Topics covered include equipment choices, hand positions, and much more, presented in a practical manner. Short exercises and etudes are included to build technique, making this an ideal resource for learning to play the natural horn.
This book is a result of Eli Epstein's 18 years in the Cleveland Orchestra and 30 years of Conservatoire teaching. It breaks down into four parts, dealing with Technique, Musicianship, Warm up and Exercises and finally Applying the Method. It is both innovative and inspiring and presents his theories in a clear and understandable way, which gives the reader much to think about and practical ideas to help improve one's playing. An excellent addition to any horn enthusiast's collection.The third edition presents MRI images and data of an elite group of horn players, including Stefan Dohr, Fergus McWilliam, Sarah Willis, Stefan Jezierski (all of the Berlin Philharmonic), Marie-Luise Neunecker, Jeff Nelsen, and others. MRI films confirm that what we do internally, inside the mouth, pharynx, and thoracic cavity is just as important as what we do externally. And, just as there are hallmarks of healthy embouchures that most professional horn players employ, there are many consistent internal movement patterns among the elite group. Epstein presents tried and true methods to learn and teach these exemplary biomechanics. "Without a doubt the most physiologically correct book ever published on horn playing." ~John Ericson, Horn Matters
Fitzpatrick plays examples of horn music by Handel, Bach, Fux, Haydn, Mozart, Danzi, Beethoven and Weber. Eash example on recording consists of a few bars only from the work ilsted. Instruments used include Baroque horns, valve horns, 1770 hand horns, 1795 hand horns, 1811 orchestral hand horns and 1827orchestral hand horns.
First to be published in the series was The Art of French Horn Playing by Philip Farkas, now Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Music at Indiana University. In 1956, when Summy-Birchard published Farkas's book, he was a solo horn player for the Chicago Symphony and had held similar positions with other orchestras, including the Boston Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, and Kansas City Conservatory, DePaul University, Northwestern University, and Roosevelt University in Chicago. The Art of French Horn Playing set the pattern, and other books in the series soon followed, offering help to students in learning to master their instruments and achieve their goals.
A practical introduction to descant and triple horns, tools available to the modern hornist for more secure high range performance. This volume covers many topics related to these instruments including fingerings, mouthpiece choices, and music to study and perform, while also touching on the history of the instruments. This second edition includes expanded coverage related to high range production along with tips and excerpts from important solos and orchestral works.
In the days before his fortieth birthday, London-based journalist Jasper Rees trades his pen for a French horn that has been gathering dust in the attic for more than twenty-two years, and, on a lark, plays it at the annual festival of the British Horn Society. Despite an embarrassingly poor performance, the experience inspires Rees to embark on a daunting, bizarre, and ultimately winning journey: to return to the festival in one year's time and play a Mozart concerto—solo—to a large paying audience. A Devil to Play is the true story of an unlikely midlife crisis spent conquering sixteen feet of wrapped brass tubing widely regarded as the most difficult instrument to master, as well as the most treacherous to play in public. It is the history of man's first musical instrument, a compelling journey that moves from the walls of Jericho to Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, from the hunting fields of France to the heart of Hollywood. And it is the account of one man's mounting musical obsession, told with pitch-perfect wit and an undeniable charm—an endearing, inspiring tale of perseverance and achievement, relayed masterfully, one side-splittingly off-key note at a time.
This comprehensive, annotated resource of solo repertoire for the horn documents in detail the rich catalogue of original solo compositions for the instrument. Intended as a guide for practical use and easy reference, it is organized into three large sections: works for unaccompanied horn, works for horn and keyboard, and works for horn and ensemble. Each entry includes publisher information, a brief description of the form and character of a work, technical details of the horn writing, and information on dedication and premiere. The authors also include commentary on the various techniques required and the performance challenges of each piece. Representing over ten years of careful compilation and notation by an expert in horn performance and pedagogy, and by a seasoned music librarian and natural horn performer, Guide to the Solo Horn Repertoire will be an invaluable resource for performers, educators, and composers.
The well-known standard for all questions concerning the technique and playing of the horn - now in English translation. The work is relevant to professionals as well as students. Apart from issues of daily practice and playing, it also deals with topics that haven't been covered within horn literature until recently: playing the high F-horn or the Wagner-tuba, the arrangement of the cadenza in the solo concertos (including cadenzas of all established concertos), personal management as a performer, and other subjects. The German edition has received the German award "Best Edition" 2000.
"In this volume one will find not only a approach to natural horn technique and historical background, but also an introduction to historical performance practice, cadenzas, ornamentation, etc. The repertoire and reading lists will help the serious student to look further into every aspect of the subject. It is very encouraging to see books such as this, which add greatly to the ever-increasing amount of available information which continues to raise the levels of performance, knowledge, and appreciation of the natural horn." -- Richard Seraphinoff, p. vi.
