Russian horn orchestra

The Russian horn orchestra flourished as a distinct music genre in 18th and 19th century Russia.

[1][2][3] According to the treatise On Man, His Mortality, His Immortality (1790) of Alexander Radishchev,[4] the inventor of this music genre was Oberjägermeister Dmitry Naryshkin (1764—1838), the husband of Maria Naryshkina.

Radishchev elucidates the primitive nature of individual instruments while likening the collective effect to that of a church organ.

Within his philosophical context, the author uses the fact to illustrate the idea that the whole transcends the sum of its parts.

[5] He also uses the metaphor of the Russian horn orchestra, apparently known in his era in Western Europe, too, to illuminate his philosophical thoughts.

Colored engraving of an orchestra with more than 20 horn players .
Early 19th century.
Modern version.
St. Petersburg , 2008.