Euph afficiandos: meet the Saxhorn quartet

[baritony]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JZ-Ojd1xZs

Quasi Horn Quartet has no French horns, and no Euphoniums. We are two Eb tenor horns and two Bb baritone horns (typical of the British brass band).

We are Quasi: 'seemingly, being partly or almost'. Formed at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2019, we are one of the first groups to bring together this beautiful and unusual combination of instruments.

Click the link above to listen to Jack, Meg, Ruth and Rose in action under lockdown! Please watch our little debut and let us know any tips or recommendations

p.s - ok... so there is Euphonium in our video. Such will be the case until we can access our college accommodation once again!

[notaverygoodname]

Thanks, that's was really pretty. Nice to sit down and relax to something like that.

As a brass nerd, I'd like to say that I don't really find this to be a particularly unusual ensemble. The Baritone Horn is a horn which is really good at what it does, but doesn't have the punch to carry itself as a lead instrument in a full-size ensemble. Eb Tenor Horn is probably the only common alto brass thing I've never played, but I imagine it's not a huge departure from the Baritone Horn. Put em all together and you've got a really clean, soft sound.

[davewerden]

Very nice ensemble, IMO. Having a euphonium on the bottom is nice. There is not much range difference among the instruments, but we are used to hearing trombone quartets with all 9-foot instruments, using the bass trombone to give a little extra range/depth on the bottom.

I could see where a clever arranger could build a nice program with this ensemble.

[davewerden]

The Baritone Horn is a horn which is really good at what it does, but doesn't have the punch to carry itself as a lead instrument in a full-size ensemble.

...and it is not typically used that way in brass band writing. Works well for a solo instrument and it a valuable color in the mid-low range. In a way, it's like the viola. Viola is not a strong "lead" instrument, but you wouldn't want an orchestra or string quartet without one, and there are some lovely solos written for viola.

[daruby]

I love playing baritone in the brass band. I played 1st baritone in the NEBB for the last 10 years. However, this last year I was drafted into the solo euphonium slot after our wonderful euphoniumist, Aaron Rivkin, went to Univ. of Mich to get his doctorate. At my age, I wish I was playing 1st baritone. I get worn out playing solo euph. While I can do it, it is so demanding that my stamina is sorely tested. OTOH, my high range on baritone was well developed and the technical difficulty was just right for me.

Doug

[carbogast]

Sweet!

[baritony]

...and it is not typically used that way in brass band writing. Works well for a solo instrument and it a valuable color in the mid-low range. In a way, it's like the viola. Viola is not a strong "lead" instrument, but you wouldn't want an orchestra or string quartet without one, and there are some lovely solos written for viola.

I'm inclined to agree; I would point towards Martin Ellerby's Baritone Concerto and Turbulence, Tide and Torque by Peter Graham. There is a wealth of solo repertoire if you know where to look. I am studying for a BMus (Hons) on the baritone - to my knowledge, there are currently only 4 of us doing so across the UK.

As far as I'm concerned, the baritone carries as much 'punch' as any other instrument as a soloist in the band. Perhaps the issue is cultivating 'specialist' players.

[notaverygoodname]

Oh, don't get me wrong guys. I love the Baritone Horn. I think its tone qualities help to make this a really lovely ensemble. Just because it has a smaller sound doesn't make it terrible. Quite the opposite. IMHO, I think it's one of the best instruments for playing the part of a human voice. Use it to play along with some old pop music, like Simon and Garfunkel stuff. It sounds fantastic.

It's like food. Yeah, there's days where Taco Bell hits the spot. Other times, I want something special...maybe even overwhelming. But more often than not, I just want something easy to eat. This is that.

[baritony]

Very nice ensemble, IMO. Having a euphonium on the bottom is nice. There is not much range difference among the instruments, but we are used to hearing trombone quartets with all 9-foot instruments, using the bass trombone to give a little extra range/depth on the bottom.

I could see where a clever arranger could build a nice program with this ensemble.

Here's our latest! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Wysgi5NgbM

[John Morgan]

Very nice, your latest! I like the euphonium on the bottom as Dave mentions. But I will reserve total judgment until I hear it as you had originally described and when you can get your baritone to replace the euphonium.