The term "cor anglaises" refers to a musical instrument, also known as an English horn. Its spelling may seem confusing, but it follows the typical French plural form. "Cor" is the singular form for "horn" in French and "anglaises" means "English" in the feminine plural form. So "cor anglaises" literally means "English horns." In IPA phonetic transcription, it can be written as /kɔr ɑ̃ɡlez/. Despite its unusual spelling, the English horn remains a beautiful and important instrument in orchestral music.
Cor anglaises, also known as English horns, are musical instruments categorized as double reed woodwinds. They possess a rich and mellow sound that is often described as plaintive or melancholic. Cor anglaises belong to the oboe family and are larger and lower in pitch compared to oboes. These instruments are often made from wood, typically cocobolo, grenadilla, or violet wood, although some models are made from plastic or metal.
The cor anglais has a distinct conical shape and is approximately 82 centimeters long. It consists of a mouthpiece, a reed, a body with finger holes, and a bell. The unique double reed design produces sound when the player blows air through the reeds, causing them to vibrate against each other. The pitch and intensity of the sound can be controlled by altering the pressure and speed of the player's breath.
Cor anglaises are commonly used in orchestras, chamber music ensembles, and occasionally in jazz or contemporary music. They often provide a poignant and expressive quality to compositions, particularly in solos or melodic lines. Due to their melancholic nature, cor anglaises are frequently associated with lyrical or reflective passages in compositions.
In summary, cor anglaises are musical instruments in the oboe family with a double reed design. They possess a rich and mellow tone and are often used to evoke a melancholic or plaintive mood in various genres of music.
The term cor anglais is derived from French, where cor means horn and anglais means English. The name cor anglais translates to English horn in English. The instrument is not actually a horn, but a double-reed woodwind instrument, which is believed to have originated in France in the early 18th century. The English connection in the name is unclear, as the instrument is not exclusively associated with England nor was it invented there. Some speculations suggest that the term English horn might have originated from an older French term cor angloys, which means angelic horn or angelic voice, referring to the beautiful sound produced by the instrument. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation evolved, leading to the current term cor anglais.