http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52Q0FVB8q3E

Mahler's 5th Symphony, my new favourite orchestral work!! Just a quick question, why does Stefan Dohr hold his bell so strangely and so horizontally? Is it just a case of a true master of the horn defying good technique in order to project the sound more?



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Also I find it strange that this piece is a symphony. In the score there is a distinct part for Solo Principal Horn, and listening to it, the Horn is almost always IN solo!! Shouldn't it be a concerto just without the different movements?

Mahler.
This position Stephan is using is a common typical position asked for by Mahler. It is used to acheive a certain color. I'm not a big fan of composers who ask for 'bells up' but I have no problem doing it for Mahler. He was a genius at coloring with the orchestra. In my opinion right now better than any other composer.

Bells up is a coloring technique and not to be used for playing louder. It can be used for loud and soft.

CONCERTO -
Mahler , Berlioz and others wrote a bunch of music with featured instrumentalists.They are either not in Concerto form or are necessarily meant to be. So the part is listed as "Obligato Horn".

Sorry that this is completely unrelated. I noticed how Sefan Dohr had his fingers on his keys. It may be an irrelevant and minor question, but is it better to have your fingers layed almost flat accross the keys, or have them arched and only the tips touching the keys? I vaguely remember hearing somebody say something about it. I was just wondering if it actually made any difference.

Well according to both Art of French Horn Playing by Philip Farkas, your fingers should be arched, so that the tips are in contact with the keys.

I agree with this, although in the video Stefan Dohr exaggerates this (I assume he has his own reasons for it!!). I find that a mix between flat and fingetips is the best. I use effectively a "computer mouse position" (ive just invented the name!!) Effectively my hand is in the same position as it is on the mouse, with the area directly below my nails in contact. In other words nearly halfway between flat and arched.

The reason why arched is better is because it increases the pressure when you press the note, so that the valve goes down alot faster and smoother, allowing faster fingerwork. Trying it yourself. Try tapping the desk with your fingers flat - you will find it is a little sloppy and messy. Now try with the fingertips - you have far more control and speed. I settle for the middle, as I simply find it more comfortable.

Sorry this has been so long, but really it is personal preference. The 'textbook' and all advice say to have your fingers arched and i agree to an extent that your fingers shouldnt be flat, but as long as they are reasonably arched there should be no worries.

Good observation and comment. I think his hands are bigger and they just look awkward in the video. My fingers don't look like that on my 8D, but they do look like on my Paxman.