Perspectives - Understanding the Natural Horn, or Who Needs Valves Anyway?

The valveless or natural horn developed over many centuries, and with each change came an evolution in musical style and expressive range. Todd Williams takes you into the very heart of the instrument, showing its construction and differing ways to produce its distinctive sound, so evocative of nature and nostalgic allure.

Hailed by Gramophone for his “impressive horn playing,” Todd Williams is an active performer and educator based in Philadelphia. A leading exponent of the natural horn, he serves as principal horn of Handel & Haydn Society, Boston Baroque, Trinity Wall Street, Clarion Society, Apollo’s Fire, Mercury, Opera Lafayette, and more. On the modern valved horn, he is a staple of the Philadelphia music scene performing with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Opera and Ballet companies of Philadelphia, the Academy of Vocal Arts, and the Philly Pops. Since 2003, he’s served as solo horn of the opera festival Lyrique-en-Mer, France. He’s recorded for Deutsche Grammophon, RCA/Sony Records, and other labels. Todd is a graduate of Indiana University.