One of the most difficult horn solos in classical music - from Tchaikovskys 5th symphony

[@stephenjablonsky1941]

Sometimes melodies that are not technically difficult are very hard to phrase perfectly. This is one of those solos that put the horn player out front and every note must be a gem.

[@porrasm]

Kind of like how Fur Elise is very easy from a technical perspective but it’s difficult to make it sound emotional and interesting.

[@PMS1950]

I can recall listening to an amateur orchestra's performance of Beethoven Eroica symphony, given in a nearby church. The very tricky horn trio, which comes in the third movement (I think) was given the most excruciatingly dreadful rendition by the brave players that the audience were left confused as to their own recollection of what they'd just heard and what they (on a good day) were supposed to have heard. I still have the tape, which provides enormous pleasure but not in the way intended.

[@stephenjablonsky1941]

@@PMS1950 Music can be a great source of pleasure or pain.

[@davewelch151]

This guy was NOT spitting out gems!

[@JupiterLance]

This is literally the meaning of you can play notes and rhythms but can you play with artistry and emotion

[@JESL_TheOnlyOne]

I'm just a snappy little R&B guitar player, but, hell yeah, I thought that was a lovely horn passage.

[@jerryumfress9030]

I started playing French horn in 7th grade, 1964. I'm now 71 and still playing. It's been a great ride

[@Hobo_Elf]

God dang!

[@Hobo_Elf]

I’m going to start learning the saxophone. I just got it for my bday and want to teach myself. I only know how to play cello and piano

[@TurtleMaster21]

Any advice for me? 3 years of playing now.

[@Jordan_prodzz]

I'm starting to learn because I'm playing it for my 7th grade year

[@Kariesko]

Heartwarming: you really see his tension while waiting for his part and then he starts and he nails it. And at the end he smiles and his colleague compliments him. Fantastic!

[@cynthiacurme5996]

I think he was preparing for the long breaths.

[@qwiklok]

No he didn't nail it, just notes without soul.

[@robertbangkok]

Kariesko - He was stretching the lungs and oxygenating.

[@sanjosemike3137]

I think the point is not that this is "impossibly difficult" but it framed the entire movement of that symphony, as intended by the composer. We need to remember that countless hours of VERY hard work (and dedication) went into his ability to play this solo. This essentially creates the magnificent beauty of a full symphony orchestra, in all its glory. Plus, he nailed it. Sanjosemike (no longer in CA)

[@Matthew-kb6lh]

Why are you no longer in San Jose San jose mike

[@sanjosemike3137]

@@Matthew-kb6lh As you may or may not know, California has been ruled by a very controlling political party which has not contributed to the health and welfare of their tax paying citizens. However, I have made many posts with my name over the years, sometimes political, sometimes in classical music and sometimes in physics and religion. I did not want to change my screen name. But we left CA in 2017 and have been very glad we left. You may know that CA is a very expensive place to live. That reason is enough for about 7,000 people/month leave it. I am just one of those. Thanks for asking. I don't usually disclose where we moved to. Sanjosemike (no longer in CA)

[@kishascape]

@@Matthew-kb6lh cuz California is a poop hole failed state that’s been enabling criminals for over the past decade now.

[@auscon04]

Nicely worded synopsis of why you moved from care-less California. You keep preaching brother, we (obviously) don’t know each other but am proud when states almost oppress their citizens and they find it mildly surprising that they leave in droves. Newsome certainly doesn’t get it. B T W, WELL DONE by this young player, performing quite a challenging excerpt which is still a foundational excerpt for all horn players to learn EARLY when preparing for your orchestral career. I don’t know of any orchestral or premiere military band horn audition that does not include this excerpt.

[@sanjosemike3137]

@@auscon04 Thank you for your very kind words. If existentialists are "looking" for reasons for humans to exist, they need look no further than the symphony orchestra. I am reminded of Nimrod, from Enigma Variations by Elgar. If I am privileged to hear the most beautiful music in the Universe at the time of my passing, I would say, "Actually, I have already heard it." Sanjosemike (no longer in CA)

[@lordtoe666]

Played French horn for 7 years. I miss playing and it is by far the most beautiful out of all the brass instruments.

[@amberstreetfilms]

It is. Can you pick it up again?

[@lordtoe666]

Possibly, after I start my new job. I still remember how to play but it’ll take some time to get back to the level of playing I was at.

[@thetomster7625]

@@lordtoe666 if you have time, writing this 5 times, you should find time to play :P

[@lordtoe666]

I don’t know why it wrote it five times.

[@user-im8gv6eh2y]

As a trombonist I'll politely disagree with 'horn is by far the most beautiful brass instrument' part but I get ya. I've been there. You don't need to set the bar so high for yourself, just play for 5 minutes when you feel like it and enjoy it. It makes all the difference

[@tonyr.4778]

In the age of KZbin guitar shedding with kids just aimlessly wriggling their fingers, it's refreshing to hear music as the focus and not just notes. The oxygenating of the body is something people don't realize. Preloading the body with oxygen by deep breaths allows the player to play longer passages with control.

[@wongcayven9893]

I just love how hype his friend was at the end there lol, so wholesome

[@ivonaradic5774]

my daughter played this piece for her finals last month. she is 17 and starting Music Academy this fall. French horn rocks!

[@JessmanChicken86]

He was ready for it, and he nailed it 👏

[@filliiiii7]

Do u have instagram

[@dovahbit258]

Really phenomenal performance that evokes the horn’s beauty. It is not easy to play that, especially with longer notes, all those sharps and even an enormous amount of dynamics. Playing this is easy enough, but playing it correctly, and in the way this horn player did, is far from easy. The breath control that he has is amazing, it isn’t easy to blow through that 18 ft or so of tubing through the smallest brass mouthpiece, with such an awkward way of holding the instrument and tuning with your hand in the bell as you go, all without a single crack or lost of partials or pitch. Truly impressive.

[@douwemusic]

What's wrong with sharps?

[@dovahbit258]

@@douwemusic Nothing at all. I just said it’s amazing that the hornist could play so well with so many sharps.

[@gtj1964]

You must be or have been a horn player to really appreciate the difficulty of this passage.

[@douwemusic]

@@dovahbit258 That's my question. Sharps aren't harder to play on a horn, they only make it harder to sight-read

[@dovahbit258]

@@douwemusic Not particularly. Since flats are much more common in horn pieces, we are used to playing flats. But sharps aren't as common, besides C#, F#, G#... which are more common to play on the horn. Although, it's all opinionated, and if you think playing sharps is easy, then great! But it all depends on the person.

[@elainebmack]

Beautiful plying. One of the things I miss about being in an orchestra is hearing wonderful solos like these up close and personal onstage with fellow musicians. So many videos feature bad performances as comedy entertainment, so hearing such splendid playing like this is a real treat. How could anyone be bored with music like this?

[@marietteestabrook4098]

Loved his prep work before hand. Hence his breath control. Much like an opera singer before an aria.

[@mise6922]

Sì ha fatto una specie di training autogeno per la respirazione e per concentrarsi al massimo!

[@KarlBonner1982]

Not the hardest solo by far, but still challenging to play with proper volume, breath support & phrasing. He definitely killed it on all those.

[@Idkwhattoputhere...306]

Seems extremely challenging to constantly be smooth when your about to run out of breath too.

[@Max_m]

@@Idkwhattoputhere...306 Yes it definitely requires skill, but there are still quite a few much higher difficulty levels above it. He did quite well though

[@hooviedoovie5220]

I'd argue that shosty 5 rehearsal 32-41 is harder.

[@WillBravoNotEvil]

So... A few examples might turn a quip into a point.

[@Metalpazallteway]

He'll need circular breathing in the future

[@leonaldobrum]

It's the Glory of Tchaikovsky in every detail ❤️

[@wampfinzlord8878]

Horn and Clarinet match so perfectly 😌

[@saxefoner]

Also thanks to proper mic placement.

[@miraclemax08]

the result of swinging the practice hammer for all those hours . . . when the time comes, you are prepared and you *_know_* you'll nail it played french horn 6th grade to senior year high school and this clip reminds me of the small handful of very *_special_* musical performance moments I had and the *_tremendous_* amount of study, preparation and practice it took to ensure they'd be moments I'd look back on with pride and not regret

[@oldbrassman2157]

Very well done! I'm studying trumpet again after almost a 60-year hiatus. Guess I'll stop complaining about the challenges I'm facing, since I have a lot less tubing to deal with than this guy.

[@BrendenJohnFilms]

This caught me off guard, surprised and the timing for me to listen to it made me cry. It felt like a resolve that is fresh behind and finally coming to terms that a changed life is waiting ahead.

[@chessematics]

Many say it's not difficult enough. But it's not about the notes. It's the phrasing, the tone, the musicality.

[@davidcottrell1308]

the only people saying it's not difficult are people that have never played it.

[@ian9764]

What talent !! Thank you for the vlog, I really enjoyed it.

[@joeypomeroy7143]

Henry Nordhorn: Outstanding musician and person who was a privilege to study with in college. He currently plays with the Spokane Symphony Orchestra.

[@LesserMoffHootkins]

He was destined for this

[@anitanalley2417]

Thank you for identifying the musician.

[@fransemmery1646]

You are right, beautiful tone and makes from every note music.

[@madwhitehare3635]

His name is really Nordhorn? That's delightful!

[@ChristopherNelson42]

I’m working on this solo with my horn instructor right now. I think the hardest part of this is it’s key signature with a crap ton of sharps in it. Once you get the scale down, I don’t think that it is actually too difficult, and stylistically I think it is very similar to the horn solo in capriccio espanole, which I had the wonderful opportunity to play in the Nebraska all state orchestra last fall.

[@Chazd1949]

Good for you! Keep it up. Never quit - like I did and regret it. Now I'm too old...

[@jackcallahan1848]

@@Chazd1949 no way

[@Chazd1949]

@@jackcallahan1848 Thanks for the vote of confidence, but the chops are pretty well gone.

[@BGing_Foodie]

@@Chazd1949 Never too late to build them back up

[@Chazd1949]

@@BGing_Foodie Thanks. I've tried, but have not made much progress.

[@judydemoss8330]

Piece of cake! He made it seem effortless. Beautiful piece and great job. I have been told the French Horn is one of the hardest instruments to play. I couldn’t even get a sound out of it when I tried. This guy had a wonderful sound I thought.

[@francem.124]

We playee this piece last 2018 and when this part comes it gives me chills soo nice

[@harriethtw]

One of the most beautiful piece ever existed.

[@basskat1440]

BRAVO! So well done!!

[@rutha1464]

He was clearly as frightened as I was every time a piece required a solo. The difference is he mastered it and plowed through the fear, it often diminished my performance. Good on you for a perfect performance.

[@bryandickerson5365]

In this day and age of so much reveling in “fails”, this was so f*ng refreshing, heartwarming and beautifully played!

[@danhorner15]

Excellent call!

[@qwiklok]

no it wasn't. la ming soul, love, emotion, heart. it was just correctly played notes, nothing more.

[@user-qv6lb5vy4b]

Extremely emotional!!!

[@tromBoyer]

That look of relief at the end - priceless!

[@julieannedrolet2379]

Beautiful. Bravo.

[@euphorical.]

beautiful

[@tinosharckover]

The most beautiful 🤩

[@carolinaroot3492]

One of my all time favorites ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@bullethill9383]

Beautiful 💕

[@RK-xp7qn]

Loved the smile from his colleague 😊

[@jesschil266]

he is literally shining when he's playing

[@robertobonalumi2044]

Great well done 👏

[@genequist3859]

Gorgeous

[@Jack44M]

Beautiful.....

[@lynettamurdoch5443]

One of my FAVORITE solos, and he did it great!

[@hannahbirmingham]

Beautiful

[@johnmcgeough2799]

Wonderful performance

[@fasanov123]

Loving the acknowledgment from his peers. Such a nice job

[@blackpoolram]

Very challenging, requiring accurate phrasing along with breath control and full diaphragm support. Playing with emotion is a vital skill to develop.

[@tonyscott9688]

Fabulous.

[@kdaniel8721]

He did a great job!!

[@robertshrewsbury5067]

Admired not only his obvious practice time, but how he worked to be "ready, calm" to play.

[@skyt4133]

One of my most favorite horn solos! Well done.

[@user-qv6lb5vy4b]

Such a great job please keep trying you are good very much talent!

[@RYROSmetaldefender]

Thats why i find the Romantic Era the climax and highest place of Classical music. There abides my favorite pieces♥🔥

[@sooz9433]

That was wonderfully played. Great job!

[@taniafritze3225]

Incrivelmente lindo!

[@jaxman1235]

Great Job! Amazing Talent. Captured the emotion of this solo!

[@cheesemongerinF]

Among the simplest but extremely difficult to execute perfectly ‼️‼️

[@joespencer471]

Bravo! He did great!

[@chischilisnez7811]

I had a Rossini horn solo that kicked my butt! So technically difficult that I nearly lost my feeble mind! But I loved performing this solo! So emotionally rich that I could hardly get through it with dry eyes. This performance is exquisite! Good job!

[@matthewwallace9280]

BRAVO! CONGRATS!

[@marcuscash3613]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go, bro! Excellent job bud!!!!!! Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@rae_halvi6392]

I think the difficulty comes with the phrasing. Yes notes are easy but to bring out the emotion from this passage is hard. Kudos to those who can play instruments. I can only sing haha

[@jamesneilsongrahamloveinth1301]

Singing is just as valuable as playing, if not more so, since one's 'instrument' is oneself . . .

[@fgbowen]

Niice Job, FH. Nice-job.

[@bambino100011]

Love how he's gearing up =)

[@aarong2374]

he nailed it! Also that oboe, too!

[@mubaraksenju7521]

woww horn solo with clarinet???? im in love!!!!

[@tableentertainment7644]

I have to play this 😩

[@Jamesmirel]

So sweet

[@chiucc1685]

Successful. Great solo.

[@amberstreetfilms]

Beautiful!!!

[@Carlos-qz7ul]

Nailed it ! 🔨😃

[@wynandduplessis9166]

I love the support from his colleague.

[@daveenyart]

superb

[@itamarferreiradecarvalho487]

Quando eu era criança, na década de 1950, minha mãe cantava uma música chamada "Rosa de Maio ". Um música de sucesso na época, cantada por Francisco Alves , o " Rei do Rádio ". Alguns anos mais tarde descobri que a melodia desta música era a Quinta de Tchaikovsky, mais precisamente este solo de trompa.

[@Patricia-vd9xh]

Such a beautiful young man with his French Horn.❤

[@filipbronola536]

Love this horn solo, great job

[@tctill]

Beautifully played

[@valeriemas8390]

très joli. pas le plus dur techniquement, mais en soutient mélodique.

[@brianalexandre1125]

Bravo, young Jedi!

[@hickslu299]

BIn 36 und habe damals auch Waldhorn mit Daumen gespielt. Nicht nur für das Dorf oder Stadt, auch für Europaparkt etc. Respekt.

[@cz8085]

Waldhorn mit Daumen?? Du meinst Doppelhorn? WTF Fpr das Dorf? Was laberst du???

[@vincentzhou2982]

Personally, one of the toughest challenges for French Horn players in the orchestra is that composers like to build on the tension before a solo part for Horn. and they like to put long notes. need a big heart, strong and steady mouth muscles, and deep breathing to put it through.

[@thomassicard3733]

Piece of cake. Nothing really high, nothing extreme, simple... YOU CAN NAIL IT, FOLKS!!!

[@majorken6958]

My heart was racing for him

[@billpalmer4152]

Nice job

[@user-kj4pr2jx4g]

Job well done

[@AndreLuis-bt7oi]

Very good

[@flowerredanna8890]

Hermoso!!

[@awesometurtle20]

I played this in an orchestra and I was sad that I was seated all the way in the back but I got to hear this better

[@jeanriff7954]

❤ bravo musicien la maitrise 🎉

[@alvarogarciabarbosa3199]

Para mí está perfecto !

[@maverickdallas1004]

While not enormously complex, this solo depends upon very precise dynamics and expression.

[@HSDarke]

good job too to the clarinet.

[@lucianoiovino304]

Great

[@scrubjordxn7264]

I was so hyped when I got the last one: I got all🎉🎉

[@rickparker679]

Always fun to view a video that was vertically shot through a partially opened closet door.

[@robguyatt9602]

I love to listen to all levels of skills. By my ear, this guy is good but with noticeable imperfections. Oh, how I would love to have imperfections as minimal as he.

[@jon-michaelharris5840]

The most French horn moment is the emptying the spit valve… you can never get it all

[@robertwalker2052]

We just saw a Symphony become a Horn Concerto.

[@teddydunn3513]

Well done

[@henrybrowne7248]

I clearly know nothing about playing the French horn. But some of the comments enlightened me about what was challenging here.

[@PassengerInMortality]

Well done! Even his seat mate congratulates him.