Naturhörnern

Naturhörnern is a type of natural horn, a musical instrument belonging to the brass family. The term "Naturhörnern" is the plural form of "Naturhorn" in German, meaning natural horn. These instruments are characterized by their lack of valves or keys, meaning that the player can only produce notes that are part of the natural harmonic series. To play different notes, the musician must alter the tension of their lips and change the embouchure. Historically, these instruments were the primary form of horn before the invention of valves.

The sound of a Naturhorn is often described as mellow and rich. Players achieve different pitches by manipulating their lips to create different vibrations, and by adjusting the length of the instrument through the use of crooks. Crooks are interchangeable sections of tubing that effectively change the fundamental pitch of the horn, allowing it to be tuned to different keys. Without crooks, a Naturhorn would be limited to playing in a single key.

Despite the limitations imposed by the absence of valves, composers of the Baroque, Classical, and early Romantic periods wrote extensively for the Naturhorn. Its unique tonal qualities and the virtuosic demands it placed on players contributed significantly to the orchestral and chamber music of these eras. While modern horns with valves are now standard, the Naturhorn remains a historically significant instrument and is still performed on by specialists for authentic interpretations of early music. Its challenging nature makes it a test of a musician's breath control and embouchure dexterity.