Baroque Orchestra Horn
after J. W. Haas 

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This instrument, based on an original by the Nürnberg maker J.W. Haas (early 18th century) is appropriate for orchestral and chamber music of the first half of the 18th century. It plays well either with the hand in the bell using handstopping technique, or without the hand in the bell (using ventholes).

The pitch level of the baroque horn is generally A=415, although A=440 crooks can be made on request. The horn is normally made with an F crook and three couplers, (half step, whole step, and minor third) which will lower the instrument to E, E flat and D, but can also be made with a G crook and three couplers, for F, E flat and D. 

Ventholes can be added to the body of the horn for correcting the intonation of the 11th and 13th partials when playing with the hand out of the bell. The technique of using nodal venting on baroque brass instruments is not an authentic 18th century practice, and there are no surviving instruments from the baroque period with ventholes, but this technique is now often used as a compromise to make it possible to play well in tune without the hand in the bell. (For a detailed discussion of nodal venting on the baroque horn, see this article.)

The baroque horn is tuned by means of tuning spacers that can be inserted between crooks, or in the mouthpipe inlet. A set of mouthpipe and crook spacers are included with the instrument, including one long enough to allow the horn to be played without the hand in the bell. The bell diameter is 24cm, and the bore through the cylindrical sections is .440".

Prices effective April 1, 2008

Instruments are not supplied with cases. Please inquire if you would like information on where to find cases that will fit this model.