basset horn

basset horn
an alto horn with a soft tone.
[1825-35; < G Bassetthorn < It corno di bassetto horn of a somewhat low range. See CORN2, BASSET1]

* * *

      clarinet pitched a fourth lower than the ordinary B♭ clarinet, probably invented in about 1770 by A. and M. Mayrhofer of Passau, Bavaria. The name derives from its basset (“small bass”) pitch and its original curved-horn shape (later supplanted by an angular form). Its bore is narrower than that of the E♭ alto clarinet, and it has a downward extension of compass to the low F of the bass voice (written as C). The boxwood instrument is usually built to order, in straight form with upturned bell.

      Though primarily a German instrument, it was known in Paris by 1774 as a contre-clarinette and in London by 1789 as a clara voce. It was employed notably by W.A. Mozart but had practically vanished by 1850. It was revived by Richard Strauss (Elektra, 1st performed 1909).

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Basset horn — Bas set horn (b[a^]s s[e^]t h[^o]rn ). [See {Basset}, a.] (Mus.) An instrument blown with a reed, and resembling a clarinet, but of much greater compass, embracing nearly four octaves; The corno di bassetto. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • basset-horn — англ. [ба/ситхон] Bassetthorn нем. [ба/сэтхорн] бассетгорн …   Словарь иностранных музыкальных терминов

  • basset horn — n. a kind of clarinet pitched in F and ending in a brass bell: its range lies between those of the common clarinet and the bass clarinet …   English World dictionary

  • Basset horn — 19th century Basset horn The basset horn (sometimes written basset horn) is a musical instrument, a member of the clarinet family. Contents 1 Construction and tone …   Wikipedia

  • Basset-horn — The basset horn or tenor clarinet (sometimes written basset horn) is a musical instrument, a member of the clarinet family.Construction and toneLike the clarinet, the instrument is a wind instrument with a single reed and a cylindrical bore.… …   Wikipedia

  • basset horn — noun a tenor clarinet; pitched in the key of F below the B flat clarinet • Hypernyms: ↑clarinet * * * ˈbasset horn 7 noun a type of large ↑clarinet with a bent ↑mouthpiece and an end piece that turns upwards   Word Origin …   Useful english dictionary

  • basset horn — Corno di bassetto Cor no di bas*set to (k?r n? d? b?s s?t t? or b?s s?t t?); pl. {Corni di basseto}. [It.] (Mus.) A tenor clarinet; called also {basset horn}, and sometimes confounded with the English horn, which is a tenor oboe. [1913 Webster]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • basset horn — /bæsət ˈhɔn/ (say basuht hawn) noun an alto clarinet with a soft tone. {German Bassett horn, from Bassett voice (or instrument) pitched between tenor and bass (from Italian bassetto, diminutive of basso low) + Horn, pun on name of inventor} …  

  • basset horn — noun an alto horn with a soft tone …   Wiktionary

  • basset horn — noun an alto clarinet in F, typically with a bent mouthpiece and upturned bell. Origin C19: from Ger., translation of Fr. cor de bassette, from Ital. corno di bassetto, from corno horn + di of + bassetto (dimin. of basso low ) …   English new terms dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”