The Horn Call October 1992 Volume XXIII, Number 1

Pizka, Hans. "Comments on Various Issues." 14.

Pizka offers historical information related to Charles Koechlin's works and then takes issue with WilliamScharnberg's criticism of Edmund Leloir's editions of preclassic and classic horn concertos. A number of other subjects are touched upon. (Hist, Rep)

Agrell, Jeffrey. "A Response to John Wates." 16.

Agrell explains his disagreement with Hans Pizka over what Agrell says was Pizka's unsolicited editorializing in one of Agrell's articles that appeared in the German edition of the Horn Call. (Misc)

Scharnberg, William. "A Young Hornist's Primer: Rhythm." 18-19.

Among the common rhythmic problems addressed are the importance of subdivision, ensemble rhythm (playing with/ahead of/behind the conductor), controlling ritardandi and accelerandi, and others. (Ped, Tech)

Reynolds, Richard. "Performance Anxiety." 21-23.

Reynolds discusses the many ways performers overcome nerves. These include beta-blockers (Inderal), massage, self-hypnosis, and other techniques. (Hea)

Hiebert, Tom. "A Discography of Instrumental Compositions for Natural Horn from the Baroque." 25-30.

(Disc)

Klánská, Vladimíra. "Stich-Punto Horn Fest." 32-33.

Events of the tenth annual festival are summarized and four concert programs are included. (WkSh)

Grande, Michele. "D.A.: (A Feature Column for Dedicated Amateurs and other Weekend Warriors)." 35-36.

Suggestions are offered on ways to find a group to play with that matches your interests. (Misc)

Scharnberg, William. "A Wagner Tuba Primer." 38-40.

The history of the instrument is traced and common problems are discussed. These include the lack of high quality instruments, the instrument's inherent intonation problems, scoring inconsistencies between various composers (which octave is intended?), and others. (Eqmt, Hist, Rep)

Routch, Bobby. "Definitely a Copp-Out." 41.

Routch warns of the dangers of absorbing possibly toxic levels of copper through the skin when it is put in contact with unlaquered brass or areas that have been silver-or gold-plated with an alloy containing copper. (Hea)

Niemisto, Paul. "Finnish American Brass Septet Celebrates Heritage with a 1992 Finnish Tour." 42.

The "Ameriikan Poijat" brass septet is profiled and pictured. (Ens)

Kaslow, David. "A Renewed Approach to Hornplaying." 45-51.

This article consists of the foreword and first chapter of a new book being written by Kaslow. It stresses that the music should always be the first consideration in playing and that musicality should be learned in conjunction with technique. Topics covered include the art of phrasing, air technique, tone, and variations of intensity. (Brea, Ped, Tn)

Thompson, Virginia. "The World Premiere of Benjamin Lees's Concerto for French Horn and Orchestra." 59-60.

Thompson provides a description of the work and its background and reviews its premiere, played in May 1992 by hornist William Caballero and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. (Rep)

Leuba, Julian Christopher. "Recordings Section." 61-70. (Disc)

Mansur, Paul. "Supplemental Record Review." 70.

"The Romantic Horn" featuring Soichiro Ohno, horn is reviewed. (Disc)

Fierman, Harriet. "Open letter: A Worthy Project." 73.

Fierman proposes establishing a fund that would pay for jazz hornist Arkady Shilkloper's air fare to the 1993 IHS Workshop in Tallahassee, Florida. (WkSh)

Frey, Kevin. "Jazz Clinic: Total Improvisation: Not Just Jazz-Not Just Music." 75-77.

Improvisation is explored, from total improvisation to structured improvisation. Exercises to help players get started improvising are suggested. (Jz, Ped)

Fensterer, Manfred. Jeffrey Agrell, ed. "Orchestral Excerpt Clinic: Two Unusual Horn Parts: The Corno Da Caccia in the B-minor Mass and the Cantata "Erforsche mich Gott" BWV 136 by J. S. Bach." 78-79. (Rep)

Kleucker, Malinda Finch. "The "W-I-N-N-E-R" Approach to Auditions." 81-84.

A step-by-step approach to audition preparation is given, covering topics such as overcoming nervousness through visualization and practice auditions, using a tape recorder, and practicing with an accompanist. Kleuker gives a countdown checklist of preparation recommendations beginning a month before the audition and counting down to the day of the audition. (Aud, Ped)

Burgstaller, Josef. "The Summit Brass Ensemble Competition, 1992." 86.

Winning quintet personnel are listed along with the repertoire they performed. Winners included: first prize, Naples Philharmonic Brass Quintet; second prize, Sun Valley Brass Quintet; third prize, Cleveland Chamber Brass. (WkSh)

Reynolds, Thomas E. "The Northeast Brass Symposium-An Opportunity for Musical Growth." 88-89.

This first annual event was held in North Easton, MA and sponsored by Robert King Music Sales Inc. (WkSh)

Beeaff, Daniel. "Southwest Regional Horn Workshop: A Review from Sunny Tucson, Arizona." 91-93.

(WkSh)

Burroughs, Mary. "The 1992 Southeast Regional Workshop." 94. (WkSh)

Purton, Michael. "Punto Award Winners." 98.

Awards were presented to Arthur Bevan and Sydney Coulston. Short biographies of each are given. (Bio, WkSh)

Mansur, Paul. "Manchester: The Twenty-Fourth Annual Workshop." 99-101. (WkSh)

Mattingly, Alan F. "The IHS Workshop: A Student's Perspective." 101-102.

The 1992 Manchester workshop is reviewed. (WkSh)

Boyd, Amy Gier. "In Memoriam: Eugene Bozza (1905-1991)." 103-106.

In addition to a biographical sketch, a bibliography and a discography of Bozza's works pertaining to horn are given and dissertations and music/recording reviews about Bozza or his music are listed. (Bib, Bio, Disc)

Anderson, Paul. "Two Projects Commemorate the Life of One of Our Members." 108-109.

Jon Hawkins's (1965-1991) biography is given and two projects inspired by his passing are detailed: the commissioning of a horn concerto and the establishment of the Jon Hawkins Memorial Scholarship. (Bio, WkSh)

The Horn Call April 1993 Volume XXIII, Number 2

Faust, Randall E. "... And Now a Final Word on Stopped Horn ...." 19.

To teach proper hand position, Faust recommends having students attempt stopped horn with the bell removed from a detachable bell instrument. (MtSt, Ped)

Belfrage, Bengt. "Damage Due to Overstrain in Brass Players." 21-24.

Types of damage, their causes, and recuperation techniques are covered. Causes of overstrain discussed include: insufficient warm-up, inadequate physical conditions for demanding practice and concert work, poor breathing technique, poor health, and excessive variations in load. (Brea, Hea, Ped, Wmup)

McKee, William. "Teachers of Another Era." 27-30.

McKee tells of his experiences with his teachers Joseph Franzl and Arkady Yegudkin. (Bio, Ped)

Hill, Douglas. "Clinic-Masterclass: The Respond-able Teacher." 31-32.

The road to becoming an effective teacher is explored. Hill emphasizes the importance of listening, reacting, and responding to each student's individual problems rather than just imitating the techniques used by you former teachers. (Ped)

Bourgue, Daniel. Jeffrey Agrell, ed. "Horn Orchestral Excerpt Clinic: Olivier Messiaen: des Canyons aux Étoiles." 35-38.

This work, originally written for horn alone but later incorporated into this larger work as a horn solo, was premiered by Bourgue, who worked closely with Messiaen before the first performance and, thus, has many useful insights into its correct interpretation. (Rep)

Chenoweth, Richard. "A Reply to Paul Kampen." 42.

Chenoweth clarifies disputed information contained in his article in HC XXII(2). (Rep)

Block, Nancy Cochran. "1991 IHS Composition Contest." 45-46.

The winning entry (Variations for Horn and Percussion by Stuart H. Jones) is described and all thirty-nine entries, complete with composer's address, are listed. (IHS, Rep, WkSh)

Mayer, Abby. "My Guiding Star." 49.

Mayer offers a story about his student days studying with Willem Valkenier. (Misc)

Hoefs, Peter. "The Horns of the Furstlich-Hohenzollernschen Sammlungen in the Castle Sigmaringen, Germany." 51-52.

Eight horns are described: four hunting horns (two in F, two in A-flat), two handhorns in E-flat (with photo), and two semicircular bugles (with photo). (Hist, NtHn)

Leuba, Julian Christopher. "Recordings Section." 61-68. (Disc)

Mansur, Paul, ed. "In Memoriam: Philip Farkas (1914-1992)." 71-75.

Letters from hornists throughout the world are shared. (Bio)

Hoffmann, Harry. "In Memoriam: Robert Westervelt (1920-1992)." 75. (Bio)

Hoffmann, Harry. "In Memoriam: Harold Cardy (1913-1992)." 75. (Bio)

Kurth, Robert H. "Copper Toxicity: A Rebuttal." 77.

In a rebuttal to Routch's article (HC XXIII(1): 41) Dr. Kurth cites numerous sources in concluding that hornists should not be concerned with copper toxicity. (Hea)

Hoffmann, Harry and Igor Hudadoff. "The General." 79-82.

Anecdotes about Arkady Yegudkin, as told to the authors by many of "The General's" former students, are presented. (Bio)

Greene, Gary A. "Response to William Scharnberg: Rhythm." 85.

Greene offers an addendum to Scharnberg's article (HC XXIII(1): 18-19), advising players to give the counting of rests the same importance as the counting of notes. (Ped, Tech)

Rhynard, Maurice L. "Muscle Interdependency and the Horn Player." 86-88.

The role of muscle interaction in the human body and its effect on hornplaying is explored. (Hea, Ped, Tech)

Horner, Anton. "A Letter from Anton Horner." 91-93.

This 1956 letter from Horner to Osbourne McConathy was submitted by Mason Jones. In it Horner describes his early career and his adoption of early versions of Krüspe's new double horn. (Bio, Emb, Eqmt, Hist)

Gordon, Peter. "Some Ideas about Playing the Horn." 95-101.

Gordon shares his thoughts on posture, hand position, embouchure, breath control, and warm-up. He also provides a suggested list of items to keep in a "horn kit" to keep with you at all playing times. (Brea, Emb, Mnt, Tech, Wmup)

Thayer, Edwin. "Concerto for Three Brass." 109.

David Ott's work, commissioned by the National Symphony and premiered by its principal trumpet, trombone, and horn (Thayer) in 1991, is described. (Rep)

The Horn Call November 1993 Volume XXIV, Number 1

Swartman, Thomas. "Horn Transposition in the Works of Mozart: High or Low?" 17-20.

Swartman examines the alto or basso transposition question using examples from Mozart's opera The Abduction from the Seraglio, KV. 384. (Rep, Trns)

Meckna, Michael. "The Legacy of Vitali Bujanovsky." 23-24.

This biographical sketch contains a selected discography of Bujanovsky recordings and a selected bibliography of articles about him or his music. (Bib, Bio, Disc)

Snedeker, Jeffrey. "Introduction to the Natural Horn Column." 27.

Snedeker outlines his goals for the Horn Call's new Natural Horn Column, which he will edit. (NtHn)

Snedeker, Jeffrey. "Resources for Natural Horn." 27-28.

A selected list of sources is provided that is organized into the following categories: historical tutors, solo/chamber pieces featuring horn, duets, studies, and selected books and articles with relevant information. An addendum to this list appears in HC XXIV(2): 12-13. (Bib, NtHn, Rep)

Leuba, Christopher. Jeffrey Agrell, ed. "Orchestral excerpt clinic: Johannes Brahms Symphony No. 1." 31-32. (Rep)

Ashworth, Robert. "Further Thoughts and Theories on Hand-Stopping." 35-37.

Ashworth states that "stopping always takes the pitch down" and then provides a fingering chart of his favorite stopped fingerings. He also poses a number of questions about muting to which he invites readers to respond. (MtSt, Ped, Tech)

Frey, Kevin. "Jazz Clinic." 39-40.

An exercise is presented that is designed to develop mental dexterity by giving the player practice in making decisions, a key element in improvising effectively. (Jz, Ped)

Leuba, Julian Christopher. "Recordings Section." 49-53. (Disc)

Braun, Elaine. "Happy Anniversary! ... but Why Come?" 55-57.

The twenty-fifth IHS workshop in Tallahassee, FL is highlighted. (WkSh)

Schwarzl, Siegfried. "The Sound of the Horn at the Top Again." 61.

Schwarzl compliments the emphasis on sound over technique at the Tallahassee workshop. (WkSh)

Mansur, Paul. "Tango Finlandia (Lieksa Brass Week)." 65-67.

Events of the 1993 edition of this Finnish brass festival are summarized. (WkSh)

"International Horn Society Financial Statements." 75-77.

These cover the years ending December 31, 1992 and 1991. (IHS)

"The 1993 IHS Scholarship Winners." 81-82. (IHS)

Block, Nancy Cochran. "1992 IHS Composition Contest Report." 87-88.

The 1992 winner was Donald Grantham's Slobbern' Goblins for chamber ensemble. Honorable mentions were awarded to Three Pieces for Horn (solo horn) by Martin Pearlman and Quartet No. 3 (horn quartet) by Kerry Turner. All thirty-three entries, with composers' addresses, are listed. (IHS, Rep, WkSh)

Hubley, Professor F. "Horn Employment Clinic." 91-93. (Hum)

The Horn Call February 1994 Volume XXIV, Number 2

Littleton, Joe. "The Seven Year Quest: An Alphorn Saga." 19-23.

The urge to build an alphorn leads the author through a trial and error process of alphorn building that culminates in him becoming a manufacturer of fiberglass alphorns. (Eqmt)

Rice, Suzanne. "An Interview with Willem A. Valkenier." 27-34.

This 1977 interview was conducted by Robert Marsh and transcribed and edited by Rice. In it the ninety-year-old Valkenier discusses the many orchestras he played in, conductors and players he worked with, and the types of horns he used throughout his career. (Bio, Hist)

Meckna, Michael. "As if Your Life Depended on It: Advice from Some Horn Masters." 39-41.

Top horn players (Baumann, Farkas, Barboteu, and others) offer advice on a number of subjects. (Ped, Tn)

Divoky, Zdenek. "Czech Republic '93: Hornlife Now." 45.

Horn activities in the Czech Republic since the political reforms are detailed. (NtSty)

Divoky, Zdenek. "Second Horn Class International in the Czech Republic." 45-47.

This nine-day music course is aimed at educating and meeting with young hornists. Activities are summarized and concert programs are printed. (WkSh)

Tritle, Thomas. "Learning the Horn in Hungary." 49-51.

Tritle offers a detailed description of horn study in Hungary. The difficult economic conditions, limited living and practice space, and other hardships are described, as are the rich cultural heritage and strong tradition of horn playing. (NtSty)

Frey, Kevin. "Cycles Exercise Part 2: The ii-7-V7 Progression." 57-58.

Frey suggests exercises to aid in attaining dexterity with this common jazz progression. (Jz, Ped)

Saxton, S. Earl. "Can Your Smile Be a Clue to a Good Embouchure?" 61-65.

This article explores the influence that a player's dental configuration has on the proper positioning of the mouthpiece on the lips and discusses the 2/3 upper 1/3 lower placement that is generally accepted as correct for most hornists. (Emb)

Leuba, Julian Christopher. "Recordings Section." 79-86. (Disc)

Johnson, Keith M. "The First Indiana University Natural Horn Workshop." 89. (WkSh)

Hiebert, Thomas. "New Heights for Natural Horn in Essen." 93-96.

Activities at the 1993 Internationales Naturhorn Festival in Essen, Germany are detailed. (WkSh)

Thelander, Kristin. "Proposal to Amend the IHS Bylaws." 99. (IHS)

The Horn Call May 1994 Volume XXIV, Number 3

Kaslow, David. "Fearlessness." 23-29.

This is chapter two of a book in progress. The foreword and chapter one appeared in HC XXIII(1). Kaslow looks at fear and ways to overcome it. Control and awareness are each discussed and then he applies his ideas on these topics to a section about taking orchestral auditions. (Aud, Ped)

Foster, Stephen. "An Interview with William Ver Meulen: Ten Years Later." 31-34.

In this follow-up to Watson's Ver Meulen interview in HC XIV(2), Ver Meulen discusses his activities of the past decade and talks about his recent recordings of the Mozart concerti. (Bio, Rep)

Orval, Francis. "A Guide to Testing Horns." 37-38.

Orval recommends using a systematic approach when choosing a new horn and suggests factors to consider when testing a horn. (Eqmt, Misc)

Austin, Paul. Jeffrey Snedeker, ed. "Contemporary Natural Horn Compositions (1982-1992)." 41-44.

Austin lists and briefly discusses twenty-five solo or chamber works involving natural horn. (NtHn, Rep)

Houle, Michael. "Starting a Horn Club." 47-48.

Houle shares insights gained when he established a horn club in the Sacramento, CA area. (Ens, Misc)

Thelander, Kristin P. Peter Kurau, ed. "Selected Etudes and Exercises for Specialized Practice." 53-59.

Recommended etudes/exercises are annotated and organized into the following categories: accuracy, atonal etudes, bravura style, contemporary techniques/graphic notation, echo horn (1/2 or 3/4 stopped), endurance, legato playing, lip slurs, lip trills, low horn, maintenance/daily etudes, multiple tonguing (double), multiple tonguing (triple), musical interpretation, natural horn, odd and changing meters, sight reading, stopped horn, transposition, and turns and other ornamentation. Grade levels (difficulties) are given for each etude/exercise. (Ped, Rep)

Hill, Douglas. Peter Kurau, ed. "The Responsible Student." 61-64.

Hill stresses that students must take responsibility for their own improvement. He includes a basic practice plan and a suggested list of what to practice, and stresses the importance of building a library of basic horn literature. (Ped)

Martin, Jean. "Saint Saëns: Symphony No. 3, Third Horn." 67-68.

Six third hornists from leading American orchestras share their thoughts on performing this excerpt. (Rep)

Leuba, Julian Christopher. "Recordings Section." 75-79. (Disc)

Dressler, John. "Recordings Reviews." 81-83. (Disc)

Thelander, Kristin. "Proposals to Amend the IHS Bylaws." 85. (IHS)

Thelander, Kristin. "IHS Thesis Lending Library Reactivated." 91-93.

A list of the forty-eight theses on horn is provided and procedures for obtaining them are explained. (Bib)

Thelander, Kristin. "International Horn Society 1994 Programs and Procedures." 95-96. (IHS)