All Letters of Music
E – ENGLISH HORN
Breathe in and fill up your lungs! Today the letter E introduces us to a wind instrument, the English horn. You may not have noticed it in the orchestra, because it is similar to the oboe, but this should not concern you. From today you are the expert for this instrument. How will you be able to recognize it? Easy! It is somewhat bigger than an oboe and that it why it produces lower tones characterized by a soft, nasal and sorrowful sound. But in appearance, it is distinguishable from the oboe not only in length but also by the pear-like widening at the bottom, as well as the bent metal tube at the top of the instrument. You should also know that most oboists can also play the English horn since the fingering is completely identical.
And here’s a little bit of history for you. At the beginning, the English horn did not look like its contemporary cousin. It was constructed like a hunting horn. In the 19th century that curvature transformed into a sharper angle and presumably that is where the secret of its name lies, because in French the word angle means angular, and anglais – English.
Now that we have all this information, it’s time to hear the sound of the instrument. One of the most beautiful melodies brought to us by the English horn was written by Antonin Dvorak, the composer which we met the other day thorough our research. It’s the theme of the second act of his Symphony no. 9, known by the name “From the New World”. We are hearing it as performed by the RTS Symphony Orchestra and maestro Bojan Sudjic. While you’re listening, notice the wonderful colour of this instrument, and observe throughout the act as the theme, brough by the English horn, is taken over by other wind instruments.
From one letter to another – we’re learning and having fun through music. And before we get to our next letter tomorrow, do a little bit of research yourself. You’ll find this even simpler, and also more inspiring, if you become a permanent follower of the official RTS Music Production Facebook page and Instagram profile.