The English horn is a distinctive woodwind instrument that holds a unique place in orchestral music. Despite its name, it is neither English nor a true horn. It is a member of the oboe family, known for its rich, melancholic tone and lower pitch compared to the oboe. The instrument’s curious name and history have sparked much interest, and many wonder: who invented the English horn? This article will explore the origins, development, and inventor behind this elegant instrument, tracing its journey from early designs to its current form.
The English Horn: Misleading Name and Basic Characteristics
Before delving into the invention, it’s important to clarify the instrument’s name and nature. The English horn, also called the cor anglais, is a double-reed woodwind instrument pitched lower than the oboe, usually in F. Its name is often misunderstood. It is not English, nor is it a brass horn. The name likely stems from a corruption of the French term “cor anglé,” meaning “angled horn,” referring to the instrument’s curved metal crook connecting the reed to the body.
The English horn’s distinct sound is prized for its haunting and expressive qualities. It has been featured prominently in orchestral works by composers such as Antonín Dvořák, Richard Wagner, and Jean Sibelius. But who was responsible for creating this fascinating instrument?
Early Ancestry: The Oboe and Its Variants
The English horn is a descendant of the oboe, an instrument developed in the mid-17th century. The oboe itself evolved from the shawm, a medieval double-reed instrument used in Renaissance and early Baroque music. The shawm was loud and relatively crude compared to modern woodwinds. The oboe was developed to provide a more refined and expressive sound for court and orchestral use.
The transition from shawm to oboe involved several instrument makers and refinements over decades. The early oboe was made by French instrument makers such as Jean Hotteterre and the Philidor family, who contributed to the design improvements that created the classical oboe known today.
The Invention of the English Horn: A Collaborative Evolution
Unlike some instruments with a single inventor, the English horn emerged gradually over the 18th century as a variant of the oboe. There is no definitive individual credited as the sole inventor, but rather a series of innovations by various makers and musicians.
During the late 17th and early 18th centuries, oboe makers began experimenting with larger sizes and altered shapes to produce lower tones. The “tenor oboe” or “oboe da caccia” was an early form of a lower-pitched oboe, used particularly in church music and hunting calls. The oboe da caccia had a curved shape and was pitched lower than the standard oboe, which was an important step towards the English horn.
The Role of French Instrument Makers
The French school of woodwind making played a key role in the English horn’s development. Instrument makers in Paris refined the oboe’s design and experimented with different sizes and bore shapes. They introduced the crook— a curved metal tube connecting the reed to the instrument body — which helped produce the English horn’s characteristic mellow tone.
In particular, the French maker Jean-Baptiste Lully, a composer and instrument innovator in the 17th century, influenced early oboe development. However, it was not until the 18th century that the English horn took a more defined form as a distinct instrument.
Emergence in the 18th Century
By the mid-1700s, the English horn began to appear more frequently in orchestral scores, particularly in Italy, Germany, and France. Composers started writing parts specifically for the instrument, which helped standardize its design and use.
The instrument was commonly known as the “cor anglais” in French-speaking countries and sometimes as “tenor oboe” or “large oboe” elsewhere. The English horn’s extended range and unique timbre made it a valuable addition to the expanding orchestral palette.
Theories About the Name “English Horn”
While the exact origin of the name “English horn” remains uncertain, there are a few popular theories:
Cor Anglé Theory: The name “English horn” is a mistranslation of the French “cor anglé,” meaning “angled horn.” This refers to the instrument’s bent metal crook. Over time, “anglé” was corrupted to “anglais,” meaning “English.”
English Instrument Makers: Some believe the name arose because the instrument was introduced to continental Europe by English players or makers, though evidence for this is weak.
Anglican Church Use: Another theory suggests the instrument was used predominantly in Anglican church music, leading to the English association.
Regardless of the exact reason, the name stuck and remains in use today.
The English Horn’s Design and Technical Innovations
The English horn’s design differs from the oboe primarily in size, shape, and pitch. It is about one and a half times longer than the oboe, which lowers its pitch by a fifth. The characteristic bent metal crook and bulbous bell help create its warm, round tone.
Instrument makers continued refining the English horn during the 19th and 20th centuries, adding keys and improving the mechanism to enhance playability and intonation. Today’s English horns are highly sophisticated, typically made from grenadilla wood with a complex key system.
The English Horn’s Role in Music History
Since its emergence, the English horn has been embraced by composers for its expressive qualities. It often represents melancholy, pastoral scenes, or lyrical solos in orchestral music. Notable uses include the famous solo in Dvořák’s “New World Symphony,” the haunting calls in Wagner’s operas, and Sibelius’s tone poems.
Its distinctive voice has made the English horn a vital instrument in symphony orchestras, chamber music, and film scores.
Modern Makers and the English Horn’s Legacy
Modern English horns are crafted by skilled makers in Europe, the US, and Asia. Brands like Buffet Crampon, Howarth, and Marigaux produce high-quality instruments used by professional musicians worldwide.
Ongoing innovations focus on improving ergonomics, sound projection, and durability. The English horn remains a symbol of the rich tradition of woodwind craftsmanship, evolving from the early oboe experiments centuries ago.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the English horn was not invented by a single person but emerged through gradual innovations by numerous instrument makers from the late 17th to 18th centuries. Its roots lie in the oboe and the oboe da caccia, with French makers playing a pivotal role in its development. While the true inventor remains unknown, the English horn’s invention reflects a rich history of musical innovation and craftsmanship.
