1. Hand horn according to Ignaz Lorenz from Linz:

The comparison of Ignaz Lorenz original horns from about 1860 and Lorenz follower horns turned out very differently, with terrible acoustic errors in the cylindrical part. But what fascinated me was the basic sound of the bell. Somehow I always got the impression that this was the real horn sound.

Hand horn according to Ignaz Lorenz by Engelbert Schmid

Description of my Ignaz Lorenz copy:

• Utilization: From Joseph Haydn to Robert Schumann, ideal for Vienna Classic.
• Keys: From high C to low Bb (with A=443 Hz, A=430 Hz and A=415 Hz), crooks, two types of tuning slides
• Bell: Handhammered with wreath, or spinned bell with wreath, thin wall thickness. Diameter of the bell 28 cm.
• Measure Cylindrical part: 11,2 mm
• Intonation, response: The correction of the intonation imperfections and the measure leaps was no problem. The result is an impressive clear response and pure intonation,well to be moduled with the hand.
• Surface: I recommend all 4 models of natural horns here presented with the beautiful historic patina which can be obtained by the special method of "smoking".
• Weight: 1000 g with Eb-crook.

2. Cor Solo:

The performance of the Haydn (?) Double Concerto for 2 natural horns and (in this case modern) orchestra was a key experience for me. About 50 % of the notes of the 1. natural horn soloist were actually not to be heard, but at the most to be guessed. Although this was due in part to the musician and to the conductor, it is nevertheless an example for the fact that in cooperation with modern intruments or also as a soloist in front of an modern or historic orchestra, the historic measure of about 11 mm is often too narrow.

The solution to this problem is my Cor Solo, which is no copy of an historic model but contains many improvements of it's own.

Cor Solo

Description of my Cor Solo Version:

• Sound: Concerning the timbre similar to the historic instruments, but distinctly bigger in volume.
• Bell: Similar to the Lorenz copy, handhammered with wreath, or spinned bell with wreath, thin wall thickness. Diameter of the bell: 28 cm.
• Construction Type: Fixed leadpipe, crooks in the middle. With just 5 crooks you can obtain all keys from high Bb to low Bb with A=443 Hz, A=430 Hz and A=415 Hz. Moreover by insertion of a machine, it can be transformed within seconds into a 3-valve Bb-horn or F-horn.
• Measure: 12,0 mm in the cylindrical part, fixed leadpipe for all keys. Thus you have a feel to it similar to the modern valve horn, less readjustment problems and still largely the sound of the natural horn.
• Intonation, response: Without problems in all keys. Similar to the Lorenz-copy the flare of the bell is very suitable for hand stopping.
• Weight: 1.100g with Eb-crook.
• Esthetics: From the artisanal point of view and what concerns the shaping all 4 natural horn models here presented are a feast for the eyes, as all Engelbert Schmid horns.