English Horn in G 1820 - 1860

This is an English horn in G, made by Carl Theodor Golde, sometime in the 19th century. What can a musical instrument tell us about the social conditions that shaped its creation? This particular instrument was made in Dresden, Germany. The early 1800’s saw the rise of civic orchestras and musical societies, as music began to move from the private sphere of aristocratic patronage to more public settings. This spurred a demand for new and improved instruments. The English horn—despite its name, related to the oboe family—acquired additional keys and a bulbous bell to enhance its sound and technical capabilities. Golde was celebrated for these very improvements. The careful historian might look at concert programs, instrument catalogs, or musicians' memoirs to understand better the artistic, social, and institutional contexts that gave rise to this beautiful instrument.