Research French Horn history, evolution and repertoire
The French horn, also known as just the horn, is a brass instrument with a long and rich history that spans centuries. The instrument has undergone many changes over time in terms of design and role in musical ensembles. Today the instrument is versatile and is widely used in classical, jazz and popular music.
According to Grove Online, the earliest known ancestor of the French Horn is the hunting horn. Although a choir of hunting horns was used previously in Erminia sul Giordano of 1633 by Michelangelo Rossi (1601-1656), the first fully circular horn appears to have been used in 1664 on a work by Lully (1632-1687) named La princesse d’Elide. The horn’s capabilities were to produce the natural harmonic series. By inserting the hand on the bell, the players could produce other notes.
In the early 19th century, a number of innovations were made to the design of the instrument. These changes included the shape of the bell and the inclusion of valves. The instruments became easier to play and more versatile. During this period, the horn began to be used more frequently in orchestral works, and composers such as Mozart and Beethoven wrote for the instrument. Examples of these works are Mozart’s (1756-1791) Horn Concerto No.1 in D major, K 412 (1791), Horn Concerto No.1 in D Major (1762) by Haydn (1732-1809), Richard Strauss’ (1864-1949) Horn concerto No.1 in Eb Major (1883) and Adagio and Allegro in Ab major, Op. 70 (1849) by Schumann (1810-1856). (Britannica. 2019) (Ericson. 2016)
In the 20th century, further innovations included changes in the material used to make the instrument, improvements in valve technology, and the development of the double horn by Friedrich Blümmel, Gustave Auguste Besson and Adolphe Sax. The modern double horn was first developed by the maker Fritz Kruspe. Today the French Horn is widely used in orchestral, chamber and solo contexts. Some repertoire of modern compositions includes Britten’s (1913-1976) Serenade for Tenor Horn and Strings, Op. 31 (1943) and Knussen’s (1952-) Horn Concerto, Op. 28 (1994). In Jazz music, the horn has been used by a number of notable musicians, including Julius Watkins, John Clark and Vincent Chancey. Bands like The Beatles, Pink Floyd and Radiohead also used French Horns in their compositions. Some extended techniques for the French Horn include Flutter tonguing, lip trills, multiphonics, glissando, harmonic playing, growling, stopped horn and half-valve technique.
References:
Amran, D. 25th September 2019. French horn in Jazz. Accessed on 7th April 2023 from: https://jazztimes.com/features/lists/artists-choice-david-amram-and-the-french-horn-in-jazz/
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “horn”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Jan. 2019, https://www.britannica.com/art/horn-musical-instrument. Accessed 7 April 2023.
Classical Music. The history of the French horn. Accessed on 7th April 2023 from: https://www.classical-music.com/features/articles/the-history-of-the-french-horn/
Ericson, J. Horn Matters. 10th June 2016. Guide to the Solo Horn Repertoire. Accessed on 5th April from: https://www.hornmatters.com/2016/06/brief-review-guide-to-the-solo-horn-repertoire/
Image of Cor de Chasse, 1stDibs.com Accessed on 5th April from: https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/more-furniture-collectibles/collectibles-curiosities/musical-instruments/early-20th-century-french-brass-cor-de-chasse-hunting-horn/id-f_24958802/
Horniman Museum. Viena Horn. Accessed on 5th April 2023 from: https://www.horniman.ac.uk/object/2004.824/
MetMuseum. Accessed on 4th April 2023 from: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/501696
Meucci, R., & Rocchetti, G. Horn. Grove Music Online. Retrieved 4 Apr. 2023, from https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000013353.
Orchestration and Arrangement 