Berliner Philharmoniker Master Class - Horn

STEFAN DE LEVAL JERZIERSKI: Hi, I'm Stefan de Leval Jezierski and I play horn in the Berlin Philharmonic. And I'd like to help you prepare for your audition for the YouTube Symphony Orchestra. First we'll look at the Mozart Concerto Number Four. There are a few things to remember about playing Mozart. First thing is don't try to play too fast and don't try to interpret too much. Keep it simple, keep it in tempo, and the rest will take care of itself. We'll look at this concerto phrase by phrase now. [horn being played] This is the first thing that people are going to hear. Common mistakes are when people try to distort the rhythm and play-- [horn being played] The sixteenth notes have to be singing. The next phrase-- [horn being played] Keep the eight notes long enough so it doesn't come out-- [horn being played] --or anything like that and play towards the C sharp. The C sharp in the third bar of this phrase is a dissonance and Mozart-- one has to lean on the dissonances a little bit. [horn being played] And don't make a pick up note, the last E flat must not be-- [horn being played] I hear this very often and it's a common mistake, but it's not a good idea. OK, for the next phrase-- [horn being played] The next phrase, it's important to take one's time going up to the high B flat. Don't think of playing after the B flat until you've actually gotten there. And don't play an accent on the last two notes like-- [horn being played] For this phrase just take your time and keep going. Play up to the high B flat, and don't think about continuing past the high B flat until you actually are there. [horn being played] And it continues. [horn being played] OK, we'll talk about these phrases a little bit. For this phrase-- [horn being played] Again, play towards the third measure, towards the B natural. And then the pick up notes to the next bar-- [horn being played] --make sure they have a bit of direction. [horn being played] Not-- [horn being played] And not also faster. Not-- [horn being played] --or anything like that. And the sixteenth notes-- [horn being played] Please don't play-- [horn being played] This is also a very common mistake. Then again, for the next two bars play to the second bar. [horn being played] Towards the C sharp, then relax off the dissonance and-- [horn being played] Direction [horn being played] OK. Then continuing. Don't rush this next phrase. Many people start the whole concerto too fast and when they get to this part then it's get sloppy, they get in trouble technically. So it's only allegro moderato. Most people play this concerto too fast, so take your time. [horn being played] Here again, play from the B flat to the A. [horn being played] For the one, and then another pick up note to the dissonance and resolution. [horn being played] Here comes a part, it's like a little fanfare. [horn being played] OK, so after the two little fanfares there's also direction-- line. [horn being played] Breathe. [horn being played] OK, well I hope this gives you some insights into the Mozart Fourth Concerto. Remember, keep the Mozart simple. Don't interpret too much, play from the heart, and enjoy the music.