Dennis Brain introduces the horn and plays Beethoven Horn Sonata

Rare footage of Dennis Brain explaining the horn and playing the Beethoven Horn Sonata. I felt the need to share this video since Dennis Brain is one of the greatest horn players in history. This is for educational purposes. This video is a part of the documentary ''Classical Music in the Forties''. You can find it and buy it online. I am sorry for the bad quality of the video.

[@jordanp1359]

The tone of his high range is sweeter and more touching then anybody I’ve ever heard. What a master! If only he had lived a long life to share his brilliance with more modern day horn players.

[@VernonStradling]

As well as being a horn player and great admirer of Brain, I also knew Denis Matthews. He became Professor of Music and Head of Department at Newcastle University while I was studying there. A lovely man and a highly knowledgeable musicologist as well as an excellent pianist. Sadly, he later committed suicide - a great loss.

[@stevieb6368]

Thanks for this. Dennis was born 100 years ago today (17/05/2021), and it's great that he is still an enormous influence on us horn players. Thanks for all the wonderful treasures in your recordings that you left us. 🎂🍻

[@fuffoon]

His mastery of his instrument and expression is almost without parallel.. almost. I regard Dennis Brain like the Einstein of music.

[@chaperon31]

Thank you for this rare video!!

[@tbhamdg]

Thanks for posting this. I don't think I've ever seen him on video before.

[@antoniboleslawowicz8095]

Thank you for posting this! Brain was also, I understand, a more than competent keyboard man in addition to being a great horn player. His loss was incalculable.

[@markbiondolillo5562]

Dennis was also an amazing organist.

[@gerardbegni2806]

The explanation of the way how the natural horn and the valve horn work is very clear. We can find on KZbin some recordings with explanations, in particular by Bernstein. In my mind, it is very useful. If you are bored by the explanations, you may skip them. Dennis Brain was one of the best horn players that ever existed. he insired to Britten his serenade for tenor, horn and strings. Unfortunately, he was killed in an accident. The sonata of Beethoven is typical of his "first manner". It is quite close to Mozart's style.

[@Kingtrombone100]

Dennis really was the best. Ask any horn player and you will get the same statement.

[@rcbuggies57]

he had the most potential, if he lived to his older years no doubt, but baborak and dohr rival him fiercely

[@52soanna]

I think he is the best horn player ever. But in the present I like most Sergei Nakariakov.

[@williamcespedes9578]

Nakariakov plays the trumpet not the horn...

[@williamcespedes9578]

RC Buggies i recommed listening to Bauman and Klisans

[@pusiontang5405]

David cooper listened to Dennis brain and learn from him.

[@frankgerace5997]

My favorite horn player!! Unfortunately, tragically killed in a car accident in 1957....

[@lanceschaina3084]

I'm so grateful that you posted this. You made my day. Thank you!!!

[@alfredocielo6802]

Grazie mille per questo bellissimo video storico. IO MI SONO DIPLOMATO IN CORNO AL CONSERVATORIO DI TORINO CON LA SONATA DI BEETHOVEN. BRAVO DENNIS DALL'ITALIA . 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🌷🌷👏

[@littleCanela2012]

Bravo the pianist

[@PMS1950]

Such a warm and reassuring smile - captured, alas, only briefly - that conveys so much about the humanity and kindness of this remarkable artist.

[@alancressie9822]

This very recording inspired me to take up the horn. Have it on a world record label EP

[@farber2]

love this guy. K 412.

[@user-ei8xk7do5c]

Oh!!!thank you!!

[@Certifier]

Raise your hand if you've played this piece countless times and love hearing it.... And then Dennis fucking Brain

[@davidbrowne5222]

D J T is a fucking genius & of course Dennis Brain was one as well 👍👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@lymanmj]

@@davidbrowne5222 Don't bother trying to get help. Obviously a waste of time.

[@user-tg3fq4bx4o]

the instrument in performance is an other one as in the introduction. The both Hors are B single horn, but the one in the performance seems to have an F Bogen extension, but in a very unique fasson. It seems to have an valve near to the 3rd rotary valve, which enables to extend the bogen lower. Any way Brain plays the low C, which is normaly impossible on a B single horn with an normal F extention. Does any one konws how this horn works?

[@chrisdstard5644]

He lived fast, and died young, so he must have been a musical genius.

[@phillipecook3227]

This piece has always sounded to me as if it could have been written by Mozart. The tragedy of DB's premature death has been well documented. I remember reading somewhere a poignant account of how, in the subdued atmosphere of the Philharmonia's first rehearsal following his death. the rearranged horn section appeared for the first time ( with Alan Civil as the new principal).

[@carlosalbertohernandezjime9878]

Una joya este video

[@dhionisseiti_official3131]

💚💚💚💚💚

[@davemiller7633]

Rose, as you know, this video is also historically significant because of his tragic accident. But are there any other videos showing the great (Saintly) Dennis playing at all? And yes, I will chime in....he WAS the greatest of them all!

[@walther7147]

2:52

[@Ponsdaniel]

Un genio

[@keithyeung9097]

Why the bell is positioned so high?

[@omegaseamaster3005]

Yeung Keith in his days the horn was super light compared ours today. Holding the horn like he did would probably make it easier to adjust pitch with his hand up and down rather than right and left. Maybe it has tonal benefits too, perhaps.

[@brookeggleston9314]

Not to mention, he was not seated, but standing.

[@davidbrowne5222]

Dennis had the tubing altered to suit his natural playing position. The mouth pipe is set at nearly right Angele to his jaw,lips and teeth. I my self had a similar setup,

[@allenjenkins7947]

Brain by name and brain by nature

[@AnthonyLeighDunstan]

Hahaha, "A Beethoven Sonata". He wrote many sonatas, but only one for horn. So why not "THE" sonata ;-)

[@kisskari]

just that is why! In the intro it says, "A Beethoven sonata" -- and not 'A B. sonata for horn'. You see?

[@user-sp5ix8ls4p]

心が和むね🎶👮

[@bgierat]

My father had a record of Dennis Brain and I fell in love with French Horn

[@banjocracy]

Don't scratch the piano with your horn Dennis!

[@jgunther3398]

even pianists wouldn't care. they hate it for being a huge monstrosity

[@francoisvillon1300]

Лучший валторнист!

[@1968KWT]

RIP Dennis Brain (died #otd in 1957) 🌺🌺🌺

[@kathygoodchild9561]

The tubing on this horn looks very strange. Is it an early double?

[@dudeforcaster8630]

Hi, It is a single b flat horn (Alexander 102) with an F extension, which allows the player to play lower notes that are not available on the single b flat.

[@aidanchristensen1581]

@@dudeforcaster8630 i thought the 102 was a compensating double....

[@dudeforcaster8630]

@@aidanchristensen1581 Sorry, my mistake, just looked it up, his bio says that it is an Alex 103.

[@aidanchristensen1581]

@@dudeforcaster8630 I think it might be a 95 or 97? I don't remember quite which is the Bb single.

[@madaxe]

@@aidanchristensen1581 it’s an Alexander 90. There’s also an F-extension in the stopping valve.

[@meborach]

Pensei que ele fosse tocar na trompa natural...

[@savagegxldyt1569]

😞 😔 😢

[@TiticatFollies]

What about the excellent pianist? Does he have a name?

[@Coton881]

Denis Matthews.

[@misterkas3708]

What year is this video?

[@davidbrowne5222]

1952 👍

[@savagegxldyt1569]

Sad

[@sasawhare]

Too fast playback! It is about a halftone higher :(

[@brookeggleston9314]

Sasa Whare without a comparison, those of us without absolute pitch can't tell the difference.

[@aidanchristensen1581]

Brain also tended to play rather sharp...

[@davidbrowne5222]

@@aidanchristensen1581 not sharp, just clear & bright.

[@mal2ksc]

Probably shot at 24 fps (film) but played back at 25 fps.

[@dragonraptor3435]

Amateur. I'm better than him any day. I'm kidding please don't hurt me

[@AnthonyLeighDunstan]

Hahaha, "A Beethoven Sonata". He wrote many sonatas, but only one for horn. So why not "THE" sonata? ;-)

[@aachoocrony5754]

You should've spent you're whole life devoted to mastering a classical instrument. Do you regret it(?) Uaagh