Berlin Phil Horns - The Horncracker Suite

Merry Christmas! The Berlin Philharmonic Horns perform Tchaikovsky´s Nutcracker Suite in a fabulous new arrangement by Joshua Davis. Recorded live at the Radial System in Berlin in December 2020.
Starring from right to left: Stefan Dohr, Andrej Zust, Stefan Jezierski, Georg Schreckenberger, Johannes Lamotke, Haeree Yoo, Paula Ernesaks, Sarah Willis and Franz Schindlbeck in the middle
Watch the whole concert here: www.sarahsmusicspace.com/#/home

[@fordjc11]

Let’s not forget the percussionist. Tasteful jazz drumming and mallets. He really makes it swing.

[@juliusz1486]

Sarah is an undisputed GODDESS of the low horn! Magnificent sound!!!

[@miltonderezende7906]

The horn reaches even lower notes. From Brasil

[@everydaylifer2019]

@@miltonderezende7906yes I can go to Base Clef T23. But is it good no.

[@txsphere]

Wow! That big beefy sound Sarah gets out of that horn. Just amazing.

[@hermannschubl2514]

No

[@bobjacobson858]

I agree; it's very impressive!

[@kiphenry4684]

Who says Horns can’t play jazz? Fabulous!

[@fordjc11]

Yeah!

[@garrywalker8534]

May I suggest "Gillespiana" by Lalo Schifrin, originally written in 1960 for Dizzy Gillespie's quintet and an all-brass big band, or the classic Miles Davis/Gil Evans collaborations ("Miles Ahead," "Porgy and Bess," "Sketches of Spain") with Evans incorporating French horns into a larger tonal spectrum backing Davis.

[@lwskiner]

Those are some full low notes at the beginning, I have never heard a horn produce notes of that quality before.

[@frankkauffman]

Sarah is the best in the business.

[@genevieverucker2135]

Yeah Sarah Willis is pretty much the best. She's amazing!

[@brucekuehn4031]

And an enthusiastic speaker and hostess in front of the camera also - a true treasure!

[@e.conboy4286]

Lance, neither have I, but these are the REAL pros!

[@timothymiller1783]

Those low notes can be reached in the F mode (by not pushing the thumb valve).

[@albertolopezmartin2913]

Amazing! especially the Sarah Willis's low register

[@sarakihlmanwibe7651]

Gorgeous. Hats off to the arranger as well!

[@heidioros5124]

And a Merry Christmas to you too!

[@johnwood551]

Didn’t know the French Horn went that low. LOVE that sound. Great arrangements ,can’t wait to hear more from this group.

[@GarrardA59]

Search Sarah Willis for more of her incredible playing.

[@joonyah8904]

Oh yeah horn has a crazy range. You just gotta be skilled enough to utilize it. It’s insane that Sarah can get that register to actually come out so strong

[@jessstuart7495]

The Horn is the same length as an F baritone.

[@ValdusWildheart]

@@jessstuart7495 F tuba, you mean? Baritone is 9 feet. Horn is 12 plus.

[@SkillIssueShynes]

This is so kick ass. 12 years of sitting near horn sections in community orchestras and college and I dont think I've ever heard the low register so well explored and executed. Moments where the horn sounds near like a 'Bone. Also surprising was the use of the far upper register in the first mvmnt. Nearly sounded trumpet-like. I had no idea the horn could do that.

[@BenAtTheTube]

The French Horn has the same tubing length as a trombone, twice that of a trumpet, enabling low notes. It also has a small mouthpiece like a trumpet, enabling the higher notes. Yes it gives a wide range, assuming the player's tooth and lip shapes allow reaching the ends of the scale.

[@cmw12]

@@BenAtTheTube *same length as a tuba!

[@madaxe]

@@cmw12 the F side is the same length as an F tuba, Bb the same as a trombone.

[@ismiregalichkochdasjetztso3232]

"Do you play the low horn or the high horn?" Sarah: "Yes."

[@womanofsubstance8735]

French horn has always been my favorite brass to listen to; they have just a mellower, sweeter tone, in my opinion. This is great. Thank you.

[@nigelroberson8911]

Best horn section there is and you have such a range and gorgeous variations in tonality. What next? I think similar treatment for The Rite of Spring 😂Happy Christmas Sarah, Stefan and the Berlin Horns.

[@josephcrespo8193]

Makes me want to dance the night away .... ... ...

[@marcosfeitosa5576]

Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful!

[@michaeldecharbert8914]

Awesome. Not many French Horn players can attempt to play jazz. But the Berlin French Horn players nailed it. excellent

[@AsteroidTVGaming]

Best horn section in the world

[@stevelogan2940]

The Berlin Phil horns! Nobody plays the horn as they do. And Sarah Willis! Nobody plays low horn as she does. Okay, Denise Tryon is right up there, too, but I’d still have to vote for Sarah! What else can I say about them and her? 1,000 bravissimos!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻📯🎄

[@domepiece11]

Horn is the best for single instrument brass ensembles. It can play nearly all the notes a trumpet and a trombone can. And it can be mellow or brassy. It goes well with nearly any other instrument. It is a beautiful, versatile instrument.

[@mavs8888]

I love this and lovely ladies with such a lowwwww voice... Merry XmaX

[@jam-yamato]

一日中でも聴いてられる🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@epivot1562]

This goes against everything I thought I knew. As a horn player, this made me so happy merry Christmas all!!

[@woollysammothscoins]

I’ve been a bass trombone and tenor trombone player for a long time and just started learning horn on a 8D, it is such a great instrument

[@keithyeung9097]

Very nice. Perfect for Sarah for the bass line.

[@audealajoie2457]

Sarah Willis, the best ❤️

[@kellanflanigan8509]

When horns play in tuba range. I’m truly truly impressed.

[@MahlerHolic1860]

GLORIOUS! OF COURSE!

[@eddyzh]

Danke, thanks, and spasiiibboooo)))

[@welintomgabriel5546]

Bravo!!!

[@kevinjohnson5210]

Creative, talented, and wishing I could hear Berlin live before I die.

[@acresfpv4690]

Dawg this makes my heart so happy.

[@elainethomas5076]

Love you all! ❤

[@MM-111]

Beautiful ! 👏 The Nutcracker is great ! 🙂 Congratulations Sarah and Berlin Phil Horns ! 💐🌹 Merry Christmas ! ☃️🔔🎄

[@achenarmyst2156]

Alexander + BPO = World Class

[@donaldcase491]

Thank you for your unique Christmas celebration you bring every year, Sarah. It is a breath of fresh air.

[@chuckeberth4370]

Absolutely loved the performance. Have never heard the French Horn sound awesome.

[@andrewmoyap]

You bring the greatest joy round the world with your beautiful French horn skills and special arrangements. Thank you from the bottom of the world, the very south of New Zealand!

[@popsicle8694]

3:42 was absolutely gorgeous. No matter how hard I try, I can’t get my low range to sound that full and beautiful. good job everyone!

[@ramiropelaez5028]

Outstanding performance....so much fun!!!

[@jimpurcell]

The horn is such a wonderful instrument. Thanks for sharing this!

[@rodolfolevy500]

Tchaikowsky revolcándose de felicidad en su tumba. Jamás se habría imaginado ésto.

[@shawnkim7276]

Sounds like a full brass quintet, so amazing

[@adude394]

Just astounding. You know intellectually that anyone who plays in the Berlin Phil is a brilliant player, or they wouldn't be in the Berlin Phil. But to actually see it in practice is incredible. And it's not just chops for the sake of chops. It's always about the music. The chops serve the music, which is how it should always be.

[@DebbieWolfeMusic]

Absolutely loved it!! Excellent arrangement and amazing horn players!

[@francisbeteille4661]

Bonjour. AAAAAHHHH!!!! ça c'est génial!!!! Un énorme bravo!!!!

[@RichardGreen422]

What a gas!

[@TheJensenInterceptor]

Brushed up well didn't they . Never normally see the horns in such splendor . Superb and thank you for sharing. Enjoy your trip abroad Sarah, hope he SUN Shines ....

[@jessicakim587]

the percussionist just be vibin i love it

[@gretchenlabradaizquierdo1375]

That's sound amazing!!!! Wohoooo!!!!!!!!!

[@joaquinharozamora1425]

Eres Maravillosa Sarah!!

[@marcelouz1]

Marvelous! , The register of the french horns are espectacular , from the lowest pitch to the highest pitch , so the arrangement is not a problem for the Berlin Philharmonic Horns, it seems to be a jazz music written for our present time , not taken from Tchaikovsky music. awsome! , BRAVO Sarah", and thanks for sending it, Merry Christmas ! to all of you.

[@sallykolilis3684]

So much impressive talent in one place what a delight

[@paulkimball8968]

Fantastic!!!!! You all make the world a better place!

[@Uuuuuuurrgggggghhhhh]

Being both a drummer and a trumpet player, this is amazing!

[@ruthslone2992]

Top to bottom, all superb players!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🎶🎄

[@eumoka]

Outstanding playing all of you!!! Sarah, have a good and save trip to Cuba. Son, quizás, los mejores músicos en mambo. Happy Christmas.

[@sonnytpangestu]

wow

[@davidlangston6927]

So much to love about this. Agreed best Horn section around. The thing that stands out to me is the balance. You can choose to listen to each horn or collectively as a section. I have played in section with “professionals” that think louder is better and you can’t hear yourself, others in the section or the orchestra. Berlin Horns are my inspiration. Thank you! ❤️

[@drmuller77]

Lovely!!!

[@Moonstein]

Such good horn players!

[@stpd1957]

Thai is just fabulous, I love it

[@marcellofedele5195]

Bravissimi. Buon Natale e felice anno nuovo. Buone feste

[@steinwaygoat]

Soooooo great!!!!! ❄️❄️❄️❤️❤️❤️

[@fredrickroll06]

What a terrific idea! The arrangements are works of genius - and the whole program is a labor of love!

[@BillDyszel]

Fun! Thanks for posting that!

[@bbkim0906]

👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@nigelroberson8911]

Also a big 😁😁😁 to the percussionist.

[@bogdanpogorelov4590]

Thank you for this video. Merry Christmas!

[@jimcieri8988]

Awesome. Doing what trombones do, only better.

[@jedward5155]

I don’t know much about these kinds of instruments, but these seem like very versatile horns to me.

[@carlaestefanycaetano2257]

Wonderful! 😀😁

[@tylercriss6435]

Wow, what a fun arrangement this is. Great job!

[@DerpOtron9k]

Those horn pedals are incredible.

[@walfredswanson]

Sarah trying to put tuba players out of work again.

[@JPM-eq8hq]

Amazing performance !!!

[@EldredTGlass]

Such Warm tones from Brass, Thank You 🙏😀

[@scottf2199]

Bravo! Thanks for sharing Sarah and Merry Christmas!

[@robertmcglinchey3347]

Fun to hear - what range!

[@wythetrumpet6419]

Bravo Horns! Superb playing!

[@marcelocosta9196]

Fantastic!!!!❤

[@meganmahoney1749]

Wonderful!! Thank you !!!

[@johnjenkins2315]

Some of the most enthralling horn playing I’ve ever heard. Thanks for posting.

[@christinapark5443]

That was just incredible :) Merry Christmas!

[@marianne1284]

So ein toller Klang. Was Horn so alles kann. Großartig.!!! Nicht zu vergessen den tollen Drummer.!!!

[@yonahzur3755]

You all are amazing, incredible. But Sarah Willis is a Goddess.

[@franciszekkrupa3686]

Amazing!! Merry Christmas to you all too!

[@samvesoul]

1:12 OK Stefan OK (i have to practice)

[@joanr3189]

Yay! Great playing! Bravo!

[@abennett]

Fantastic!

[@ajayaymusic]

Real skill and ability is always a joy to watch. Brilliant.

[@williamharris1131]

Awesome virtuoso performance and equally awesome arrangement! Impressive range control (especially the almost "Trombone sound" in the low part) and gorgeous homogenous sound blend, made this a very enjoyable listening experience ably assisted by the excellent percussionist! WOW! [Is everyone playing the same make Horn? Gorgeous blend!]

[@domepiece11]

They all play the Alex 103.

[@sblank69]

Nice job ! Love French horn sound!

[@lucianoiovino304]

Wonderful Musicians!!!!

[@gabrielduellberg8962]

so perfect 🥰🥰

[@ignazzzzzio]

wonderful!

[@andreasfellner1757]

Simply sensational. Thank you very much for this experience...I really love that sound ! Greetings from Graz / Austria

[@hornerinf]

Fantastic arrangement! Beautifully played of course.

[@marcelotozzini2731]

No solo sos (escribo como argentino) una maravillosa ejecutante sino que a ello le sumas tu simpatía y belleza. Gracias por enseñarnos tu música tan especial, por lo de Cuba y esperando alguna vez escucharte tocando algún tango de Piazzolla. Saludos afectuosos.

[@sabrinaquargnal5819]

Bravissimi!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Auguri di Buone Feste!☃️🎅🎄🍾🥂🎉

[@robertfunk7204]

Very impressive !