The May Horn of the Month was made or imported by John F. Stratton of New York and is a saxhorn-type instrument pitched in “Bb”.
A saxhorn defined:
In 1845 (patented) Adolf Sax had created a set of brasses, an entire family or group (soprano, alto, tenor and bass) of instruments all with a matching conical bore. This helped to achieve a blended uniform vocal sound for the set of instruments. “Sax discovered that it is the proportions given to a column of air vibrating in a sonorous tube, and these alone that determine the timbre produced (Encyclopedia Britannica)”.
This sturdy instrument is made of nickel-silver. The valves are rotary valves (valves are in the standard configuration: whole step, half step, step and a half). The inscription on the bell is in three lines reading “John F. Stratton/ maker /New York”. Unlike the “OTS” of last month there is no “Union” shield on the bell nor does it have the fancy scroll-like braces.
Before easy internet searches made finding repertoire less challenging, it was good to know a brass aficionado who had a great memory, was extremely knowledgeable, plus who possessed amazing research abilities. For quite some time, for the Chestnut Brass, that person was the late David Wood, co-owner of Sheet Music Service of Portland.
David had been a trumpet player and had a passion for antique brasses too. The CBC was playing at his store and I was playing the “OTS” Stratton Eb (last month’s feature). David mentioned that he also had a Stratton and after a short conversation, this month’s Horn of the Month joined my collection. Fortunately it was already in playing condition.
I look forward to the next Chestnut Brass Company AND FRIENDS concert or recording so that this wonderful instrument will again sing forth!
For additional historical information see last month’s Stratton “Eb” feature.
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Stephen Foster: Foster for Brass- Naxos 8.559124
http://www.amazon.com/Foster-Brass-S/dp/B00007FPFS/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1427981789&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=Stephen+Foster%3A+Foster+for+Brass+Naxos+8.559124+chestnut+brass
Listen to the Mocking Bird- Newport Classic NPD 85516
http://www.amazon.com/Listen-Mocking-Chestnut-Brass-Company/dp/B000024O8Q/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1427981727&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=listen+to+the+mockingbird+chestnut+brass
FOR - Of Interest and Books of Interest – see last month’s feature