English horn

noun

1. a large oboe, a fifth lower in pitch than the ordinary oboe, having a pear-shaped bell and producing a mellow tone.

English horn

noun

1. music another name for cor anglais

Word History and Origins

Origin of English horn¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

He has adapted the continuo part mostly for a small ensemble of alto flute, English horn, clarinet, bass clarinet and harp, and voiced the figured bass in octaves far higher and lower than tradition would suggest.

From New York Times

Ryan Roberts, on English horn, played with his usual flawless poetry in small yet meaningful solos, especially near the end.

From New York Times

At some recitals he would switch among English horn, oboe d’amore and traditional oboe.

From New York Times

“Mellifluous melancholy is the English horn’s main orchestral stock in trade,” John Henken wrote in The Los Angeles Times in 1988, reviewing a recital at Trinity Lutheran Church in Reseda, Calif., where Mr. Stacy played the other two instruments as well, “but Stacy demonstrated a much wider range of expression and sound. He could make the horn sing with almost human suavity, or stutter with martial brilliance, all supported by the booming acoustic of the Trinity sanctuary.”

From New York Times

As for why he chose the English horn as his main instrument, Mr. Stacy had a simple answer.

From New York Times