The English Horn is neither English nor a horn. One of the theories for the origin of its name is that the ancient instruments were curved and called "Cor angle", which is French for "bent" or "angled" horn. The English Horn can be recognized by its resemblance to the Oboe. In fact, it can be considered an alto Oboe, since it is pitched a fifth below it, thus extending the Oboe's range downward.
The English Horn differs from the Oboe in its length (it is 89 cm. long), its larger double-reeds, its larger tube, and its bulb or pear-shaped bell (with which it ends). This special bell largely accounts for the instrument's soft and melancholic timbre.
As the English Horn is too long for the player; in order to facilitate the handling of the instrument, a bent metal crook is extended from the top end of the instrument to hold the reed tube. This mouthpiece is bent slightly towards the player's mouth. Due to its weight, the English Horn has to be supported by a cord or belt, which is placed around the player's neck.
The English Horn is treated as a transposing instrument, in "F". This means that when the player has to play a written C, he uses the same fingering for C as in the Oboe. However, the sound produced is F, which is a fifth below the written C.
Since the English Horn's mechanism is similar in almost all its details to that of the Oboe, the playing technique is identical. Thus, one of the oboists usually plays the English Horn when needed. Since it is equal in its agility to the Oboe, the English Horn can participate in any virtuosic activity in the orchestra, including soloist.
The sound of the English Horn as sharp and penetrating as that of the Oboe. It is particularly beautiful when it plays sustained, smooth melodies. One of the first composers to discover its enchanting voice was Rossini, who used it in his opera Guillaume Tell (1829). It was later used by many of the romantic composers of the nineteenth century.
The Oboe d'Amore resembles, in all its aspects, the English Horn, except that it is smaller in size (70 cm.). It has the same name in Italian and German as in English, but in French it is called Hautbois d'Amour. It is also a transposing instrument, pitched in A, therefore sounding a minor third lower than written.
