by James Hampson
Single horn by Gessner, ca. 1918.
Imagine walking into a new place, a room filled with people you’ve never met before, and the first thing you encounter are tables upon tables of antique horns. That was my first experience with Dick Martz’s collection. In 2008, I was fortunate enough to attend the American Hunting Horn Workshop that took place at the Chautauqua Institute in Chautauqua, New York (where I also first met Lowell Greer), and as I walked through the entrance, I saw this incredible horn collection which still amazes me today. I was an undergraduate student, just learning about some of these instruments, and seeing and playing them made me feel like a kid in a candy shop. During my master’s studies at Rutgers University, I spent many days at Dick’s house learning more about the horns and playing as many as I could. I have even helped find horns to add to the collection over the last few years. Dick has stopped touring with his outstanding presentation, but what makes this collection truly special, whether seen in person or online, is the detailed research done on each instrument, the makers, and the performers throughout history who have used them—and it’s all easily accessible: http://www.rjmartz.com/horns. Enjoy your virtual visit!
