Mid-range instruments > basset horn in F
Range of the basset horn in F (historical basset horns also have this range). The basset horn in G is pitched one whole tone higher (see modern clarinet d'amore range).
General
The basset horn was one of Mozart’s favourite instruments in a time where its construction was very different to today’s model. The first draft of the Mozart Clarinet Concerto was written for a basset horn in G, reflecting his love of the sound of the instrument. Both the basset horn and alto clarinet underwent a streamlining of design in France during the second half of the 19th century, in the case of the basset horn making it more compact and easier to play, whilst retaining its range and sonic qualities. The modern basset horn may look like a mini bass clarinet but the sound is quite unique, slightly airy and reedy in the low register, glowing and bright in the clarion. Stockhausen fell in love with the basset horn and incorporated it in many of his large works, evoking the persona of EVA. The basset horn oozes potential and there is still much to be discovered here.
Nearby range and tone colour pairings: alto flute, oboe d’amore, cor anglais, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, bassoon, flügelhorn, horn, alto trombone, mid range percussion, viola, cello
Distant range and tone colour pairings: extremely high or low sounds from any instrumental group
Video example (18th century)
Video example (19th century)
Video example (20th century)
Notable repertoire:
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — Serenade No. 10 (Gran Partita) (1781) & Requiem (1791)
Felix Mendelssohn — Concert Pieces No. 1 & 2 (1832/33)
Richard Strauss — Serenades (1943-45)
Karlheinz Stockhausen — Susani (1984), Xi (1986), Harmonien (2006) and many more…
Samuel Andreyev — Sextet in Two Parts (2019)
Transposition hacks
sounding > written: think a perfect fifth higher [ + P5 ] • if the sounding notation is in bass clef, read as tenor clef
written > sounding: think a perfect fifth lower [ - P5 ]
