Instruments of the Modern Symphony Orchestra/ENGLISH HORN

by Arthur Edward Johnstone

ENGLISH HORN

Romeo Boninsegna
Metropolitan Opera House
Orchestra, N.Y.

The name of this instrument is misleading, as it is neither english nor a horn, but simply an enlarged or alto oboe, fingered and blown the same as the ordinary oboe. It has the same range (thirty-two notes), but is pitched a fifth lower. The two or three highest notes are seldom used, as they are difficult of production and of inferior quality to notes of the same pitch taken on the oboe.

Its tonal quality lacks the artless gayety and sprightliness obtainable on the oboe. It is nobler, richer, and somewhat veiled. It blends admirably with all the other instruments of the wood-wind group, even its lowest tones being available in soft combinations without fear of cutting through the tonal mass.

The english horn, in reality, is a transposing instrument in F, though not so designated in the score. It speaks a fifth lower than its notation, so that, for instance, the sounding scale of C would require the notation of the scale of G. Hence it follows that the english horn calls for one more sharp (or one less flat) in its signatures than do violins, violas, flutes, and other instruments pitched in C. The english horn part is usually played by the third oboist.

The range of the english horn is:

ROMEO BONINSEGNA
METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE
ORCHESTRA, N. Y.