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Englischhorn

cor anglais

noun ENG-lish-horn Rare
Arts & Culture Music

Origin: disputed; possibly from French cor anglé (angled horn)

Also means

a tenor oboe pitched a fifth below the standard oboe

Usage Note

Englischhorn (despite its name, not English) is the Oboe's larger cousin. Its mournful, reedy tone is instantly recognizable — the solo at the opening of Dvořák's 'New World' Symphony is a famous example.

Examples

"Das Englischhorn spielte eine klagende Melodie im zweiten Satz der Sinfonie."

Natural Translation

The cor anglais played a lamenting melody in the second movement of the symphony.

Literal Translation

The English-horn played a lamenting melody in the second movement of the symphony.

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