P. L. Gautrot - Cornopean in Bb

The Horn of the Month February 2014 is a cornopean made by P. L. Gautrot of Paris, France circa 1865. The instrument is made of brass, stamped on the bell is “Gautrot Brevete Paris”, and included on the bell is the trademark stamp- an anchor within an oval surround. The instrument has three stölzel valves in the modern order. An unmatched set of crooks came with the instrument making it possible to play in Bb, A, Ab or G. An interesting distinctive feature is a sculptural acorn placed on the top of the pinky ring for the right hand. In 1884 the business passed onto the Couesnon et Cie (some information taken from - An Index of Musical Wind Instruments by Lyndesay G. Langwill 1977).

This instrument has been used with the mixed brass band grouping of the early 1830-1850 period in CBC programs. It was also played by Allan Dean, as guest trumpet player, for the Early Brass Festival at Amherst (Mr. Dean thought that we should look for a more functional instrument- sturdy but not a prize winner). An instrument like this, crooked in G would have been the choice for Symphonie Fantastique Op.14 (1830) by Berlioz (Cornet Pistons en Sol). Although not a perfect instrument, it plays with character and a warm sound. We are happy to have it in our collection.

Visit the website of the National Music Museum to see many other wonderful examples of historic brass instruments (orgs.usd.edu).