But it will be valued most, we feel, because it seems to enshrine something of the artist himself.įacsimile of the first lines of the author's original MS.Īmong the definitions of 'horn' in the dictionary is, 'a nondeciduous excrescence' and though many conductors - and players - have, at times, though of it in even less complimentary termes, there are also many occasions when it can be described as a musical instrument !Įvolving from the horn of an animal used by hunters, it emerged into the 5-valve and, more rare, the 6-valve instrument which, in groups of 4, sometimes 6 or 8 (and on one occasion at least 20, in the Alpine Symphony of Strauss) shines so brightly from the back of the orchestra. The article will, of course, be read with very great interest for its own sake - for the writings of such an eminent authority must necessarily command attention. He took infinite pains with it, and, so he told us, found much pleasure in the task. 'About the French Horn' was completed only a short time before his death. Difficulties of the most intricate nature, and exposed entries that would make the above-average player quail, disappeared before his fearless approach.

He combined a fabulous technique and gracious sense of style with a reliability that was absolute.

Works were specially written for him by Hindemith, Benjamin Britten, Gordon Jacob and Gordon Bryan and he played concertos in Switzerland, France, Germany, Holland, Italy and United States. Even at seventeen - when he made his debut at the Queen's Hall with the Busch Chamber Players - his playing already bore the stamp of greatness. He was thirty-six and at the top of his profession. Earlier that day he was returning to London after playing at the Edinburgh Festival when, on the Barnet by-pass - and within only a few miles of his home - the car he was driving left the road and crashed into a tree. It bore the unbelievable news that Dennis Brain was dead. On Sunday, September 1, 1957, a radio announcement tore at the heart of every musician and music-lover in the land.

Dennis brain mouthpiece