Orchestral Excerpt Insights: Cooper Plays Strauss

In this Orchestral Excerpt Insight, CSO Principal Horn David Cooper walks viewers through the techniques he uses to practice the opening solo from Strauss’ iconic tone poem Ein Heldenleben. And when it comes time to play this piece for an audition, what’s his advice? Trust that the committee is rooting for you. “While the review panel might seem scary behind the curtain, we're your greatest champions," Cooper says. "We want to hear you succeed, because there's no greater feeling than hearing a piece that we love played really well.”
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[@chrissturley823]

Back in middle school it was known that Dave was an incredible horn player and everybody said he would go far. So glad to see it came true. Congrats Dave. You certainly earned it.

[@StocksIn60Seconds]

God, what a SOUND and athletic ability, oh yeah, and he KNOWS how to teach!!!! Truly one of the best around, performer AND teacher. That is a damn rare combo.

[@jerryfolsom886]

Hey Dave , This demo is the best explanation I've ever heard on how to work up the opening . Bravo ! A great free lesson from the Principal Horn of the Chicago Symphony !

[@mrblake7124]

Awesome perspective on what it takes to practice and perform this level of repertoire!

[@paulmasgalajian8102]

The finest Hornist in the world today. Mr. Cooper has awesome intonation, superb technique, and phenomenal range. But more importantly, he brings out the CHARACTER of the instrument. In my opinion, many world class hornists are unable to do this. To me the horn should sound like a person who has reached the zenith of their craft, who perform their work so unselfconsciously, that the scars of life they suffered to achieve that status become inconsequential. Cooper conveys this.

[@dalitsegal2910]

Thank you, David! That was a wonderful explanation and a big help. I like the Swartz tone so much!!!

[@leahrobinson9183]

Awesome, David! I was browsing woodwind videos for my 4th graders and came upon this! :)

[@bobpauley4721]

Excellent performance including very helpful cmmentary/instruction

[@TechnoReverseChannel]

This is ridiculously good

[@Marcel_Audubon]

what a magnificent hunk of man

[@zacharyregin9726]

You’re not wrong

[@mjackstewart]

He a snacc ...

[@zacharyregin9726]

@@mjackstewart that he is.

[@reelsforyou8567]

So true… been cruising down that crush cart since I first heard him to play in middle school. What a truly wonderful human

[@bobkenehan7541]

Thanks for sharing. You laid out the plan. Just got to follow the plan.

[@johnh8986]

Wow!!! Bravo!!! CSO has the best! 👏🏽

[@b286guy]

Amazing! 😍

[@amangogna68]

Great musician !

[@chiucc1685]

Superb!!!!

[@himmdrumtips8681]

Hats off

[@user-cn5iq1kc3w]

Жаль, что не понимаю по-английски, но, все равно, было интересно. Очень люблю слушать Чикагский симфонический оркестр! Прекрасные музыканты!!!

[@SquidKing]

Чикагский Симфонический Оркестр - мой любимый оркестр в мире!! Они играют Малер очень красиво

[@rp1894]

Holy shit! He won all of horn.

[@leestamm3187]

Growing up with a dad who was a horn player, Strauss tended to lean on that section quite often in his music.

[@UturnatA2]

I'm looking for a great drone I can use. Any suggestions?

[@Marcel_Audubon]

I recommend the MQ-9 Reaper

[@Infidelio]

When does it start to sound like a musical phrase?

[@user-zv2dz6kv4n]

เก่งจุง

[@Hanna-jt1sz]

0:05

[@nicholasdageford5302]

What horn does he play on?

[@Alessio216]

I bet a S.W. Lewis but I’ve always seen him with an Alex 103

[@horndude77]

If you're going to call out hardware include those sweet sweet affiliate links.

[@StocksIn60Seconds]

CSO did David dirty...Get rid of Muti and send him to the Met where he belongs!!!

[@josee4791]

What happened !? 😕

[@somebody9033]

@@josee4791 he was denied tenure...

[@fedeymini]

I showed this to my virt. students last week. -Watch the breath (watch his belly!!!) I'm not just saying that for fun -and even the pros break things down into very small chunks and pick at the little things. Acknowledge your areas of improvement (not "mistakes"), drill them, throw it all together.

[@snrnsjd]

What conclusions you have about the belly?

[@cz8085]

Realy bad sound, whatever he does allways sounds like a trumpet, not like a horn. Er hat das Instrument nicht verstanden!

[@pirate8507]

Subjective

[@keendang]

0:05