German Orchestra Instruments

My original post

Additional comments by readers

If you have additional information or opinions about German orchestral instruments please feel free to send them to me and I will post them here for others to read.

IAWM list

January 10, 2003

In response to a question about German orchestral instruments.

Some instruments used in German-speaking orchestras differ from those used in other places -- though in some cases the differences are sometimes exaggerated.

+ There is a German clarinet which has a slightly different fingering system and a ligature that uses wrapped string instead of a clamp. The German clarinet has a more robust, throaty sound and is thought to be better for the ensemble work of orchestras. It is not possible for clarinetists who use the Boehm system to simply switch over to the German clarinet because it is too different. Almost all orchestras in the German-speaking world use these clarinets.

+ There is also a German trombone which has a narrower bore size and a larger bell. It has a mellower, almost stuffy sound and isn't especially well suited to soloist work. Most orchestras no longer use them, the exceptions being the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonics and the East German orchestras. The latter never switched, in part, because the cold war prevented them from having access to instruments made elsewhere. It is not very difficult for players to switch between the modern trombone and the German trombone.

+ German orchestras also use rotary valve trumpets much more than in other places, though they are becoming more popular everywhere. They have a mellower, broader tone and sound good in many types of symphonic music. It is quite easy for trumpeters to play both piston and rotary instruments.

+ The Vienna Philharmonic uses the Vienna horn which has an extra coil just below the mouthpiece. This instrument has to be learned. The Vienna Philharmonic is one of the few ensembles that use it. There are also normal horns made in Germany, but they are the same kind of instrument as made elsewhere.

+ There is also a Vienna oboe which has a small bulb at the top near the reed, something like an english horn. The fingering system is also different. The instrument is very difficult to play soloistically. Vienna is almost the only orchestra to use the instrument. It has a very beautiful sound.

The German clarinet, the Vienna oboe and the Vienna horn must be specifically mastered by players. 

On the other hand, the German trombone and rotary valve trumpet can be switched over to easily. The "German horn" the Berlin clinician spoke is just a normal horn made in Germany. A German made mouthpiece would also not be significantly different.

Quite often the differences in the trombones, trumpets and regular horns are exaggerated simply for reasons of ethnocentric chauvinism. The musicians are often anti-foriegnener and want to create artificial boundaries. In the Vienna Philharmonic, this even extends to what were openly stated racial ideologies, though now, due to our protest, they try to not speak about it.

William Osborne

+++++

Below is additional information sent to my by Laura Johnson.

Dear Mr. Osborne,

I found your online page regarding the differences in instruments to be most 
interesting!

The Horn used by the Vienna Philharmonic is also different than the typical 
horn used in German or America because it is commonly a "single" horn in the 
key of F. This makes it a bit more difficult to gain the notes without 
mistakes. The valves are also different since the slides on the valves move when the 
valves are opened and closed. The closest thing I can compare them to is the 
trombone slide. This makes the hornist capable of more liquid slurs...it 
also makes the horn more difficult, I am told. I think...but I don't know for 
sure...that the Vienna Horn may not have as open a bell...in other words, I 
think the "throat" on the bell is smaller...this makes for a slightly different 
hand position in the bell. It also makes for a more brilliant sound during the 
forte sections. Since it is a single horn it is also much lighter, and I 
think this brightens the sound during the forte moments as well.

For some time, Americans seemed to favor the German silver horn...while 
Germans more commonly played brass horns. I don't know if that is still the case. 
Also, always thought the horns during the 1950s and 1960s in America used a 
more covered hand position...giving the horn a darker and in some cases more 
muffled sound than the Germans. Some German horns, like the Alexander, seem to 
be wrapped more tightly, with a smaller gauge to the piping in some sections, 
resulting in a smaller, brighter sound. 

For years I played a Conn 8D...a german silver horn. Later I switched to a 
German brass horn...and found it seemed a brighter sound. The Conn used to be 
popular in the states.

Just a few thoughts from a horn player who is not an expert....

Thank you,
Laura Johnson