Adolf Borsdorf facts for kids

Adolph Borsdorf was a famous German French horn player. He was born in Saxony on December 25, 1854, and passed away in London, England, on April 15, 1923. He became one of the most important horn players in England, known for his amazing skill and for teaching many future musicians.

Early Life and Moving to England

Adolph Borsdorf was born in a place called Dittmansdorf in Saxony, Germany. He studied the French horn at a music school, or Conservatoire, in Dresden. After his studies, he played in a military band.

In 1879, Borsdorf decided to move to England. He lived there for the rest of his life. Soon, he became known as the most important horn player in the country. A famous conductor named Hans Richter invited him to play in the orchestra at the Covent Garden.

A Top Horn Player

In 1904, Adolph Borsdorf joined the brand new London Symphony Orchestra. The four horn players in this orchestra were incredibly talented. People often called them “God’s Own Quartet” because they played so well together.

Borsdorf and his fellow horn player, Franz Paersch, first learned to play on horns made in Germany. These horns had a wide bore, which is the hole through the instrument's tube. However, both musicians later switched to playing horns made in France by a maker named Raoux. These French horns had a narrower bore. They might not have been as loud, but they produced a very clear and beautiful sound.

Teaching and Famous Performances

Adolph Borsdorf also became a respected teacher. When the Royal College of Music was founded in 1882, he became a professor there. He also taught at the Royal Academy of Music. Many young horn players learned from him.

He was the main horn player, or principal horn, in the orchestra for the very first Promenade Concert in 1895. This concert took place at the Queen’s Hall. Another famous horn player, A.E.Brain, who was the grandfather of the legendary Dennis Brain, played the fourth horn in that same orchestra.

Borsdorf also played in the orchestra when Richard Strauss’s famous piece, Till Eulenspiegel, was performed for the first time in England. This happened in 1896, and the composer himself was conducting the orchestra.

Later Years and Legacy

In 1913, Borsdorf became ill and had to have some teeth removed. Another challenge came in 1914 when World War I started. Because he was German, there was a lot of anti-German feeling in England at that time. After the war, he played in public less often.

Adolph Borsdorf passed away in 1923. He did a great deal to improve the quality of horn playing in England. He taught many talented students, including A.E.Brain Jr., Aubrey Brain, and Frank Probyn. His own three sons—Oskar, Francis, and Emil—also followed in his footsteps and became professional horn players.

• Oxford Music Online retrieved 21.11.2010