Here’s another video in the Kopprasch Project, No. 39 (Molto allegro). My edition suggests a tempo of quarter note=76-112, and for this recording I settled around quarter=95. One key to playing this one-at least for me-was to avoid excess jaw tension in the mid and upper range, especially when approaching an isolated low note. For example, in measure three it’s very easy to tense up in the first half  of the measure, which makes it more difficult to pop out the the “c” and “g” below the staff in the second half of the measure.

Speaking of Kopprasch, I recently read about a new edition of Op. 6 (Book 1) in the “Music and Book Reviews” section of the latest Horn Call journal. This new edition, published by Carl Fischer, includes a CD recording by Michelle Stebleton, Associate Professor of Horn at The Florida State University. Of course, I was very interested, especially because Professor Stebleton is a fantastic teacher and player. I’ve ordered my copy, and will probably put down a few thoughts on this site once it’s arrived and I’ve had a chance to look and listen a bit. Jeffrey Snedeker writes a very thoughtful review of  the publication, but you’ll have to pick up the October issue of The Horn Call to read it. This story points out yet another reason why it’s important to join the IHS: news and information on new music and publications. Even though there are some excellent horn-related websites out there, The Horn Call is still a great go-to place for news and information in the horn world.