Eric Ruske performs Bach on French Horn at Grand Valley State University

[pbj4toast]

He does a good job, but the echo in the hall muddies it up a bit.

[horn4life97]

I am no where the leave of musical intelligence that most of these people commenting on this video are but I think this is really cool sounding! Good job!

[piliage]

Man. All the critics. He slapped the horn on his face with no warm up and started blowing. Is Radek's download live and in a masterclass with no edits from a video tape? My guess is not. His sound? Chicago/London/Berlin approach is a flat hand and a bright sound, while a lot of the Europeans and Conn heads play with their hand jammed so far up the bell they can scratch their lips. Which is better? Whatever you like, keeps you in the gig and the conductor's mouth shut.

[fdx183]

As a retired horn player of the Phil Farkas, James Wilcox, Bob Marsh generation 1958-1998...I throughly enjoyed your style and expression on the horn...It's amazing, this new generation of horn players playing pieces that college seniors had to master on Senior recitals. Great job...

[ChloeBoDances]

i play the french horn :D

[frenchie0cds]

...WOW! i wish i could play my horn like that!

[xXRoZaRXx]

I've played Trumpet for 7 years now, always first chair (:D) And just now started taking up the Horn....Biggest challenge ever.....

[danshapiro9]

@xXRoZaRXx Good choice, my friend. Dale Clevenger started on trumpet before switching to horn.

[xXRoZaRXx]

@danshapiro9 Oh really? I'm guessing he's a well known Hornist? I'm not too familiar with horn players. Though if there are any others you'd recommend, I'd love to know of some.

[SiegfriedHorner]

Another excellent hornist, no doubt. But there are many players who play as well. or even better; Any major orchestra has at least 1 or 2. Obviously, Mr. Ruske practiced this extensively--how else to memorize it? One might prefer a different, less thin, and less bright tone, but that is a subjective matter of tone-concept. Of course, a live performance in an acoustically unfavorable space might explain some of what is heard. But his tone has always seemed a bit thin and bright.

[dawnedeclipse]

@SiegfriedHorner I've actually taken many master classes with Mr. Ruske and his tone is actually very warm and solid, didnt strike me as bright at all. Maybe the extensive upper range of this piece make it seem like his tone is brighter then what it actually is.

[SiegfriedHorner]

@dawnedeclipse No doubt he impresses lesser players, of which there are many. A trend of recent generations of hornists is to gain facility and endurance at the expense of tone...hence the proliferation of the Bb, and higher-pitched horns. A respected colleague of mine heard Mr. Ruske perform Strauss 2. Reportedly, although technically, and note-wise, an excellent performance, his tone was almost trombone like. Subjective? Somewhat,but a horn is not a trombone.

[dawnedeclipse]

@SiegfriedHorner So you just come to other peoples video to insult proffessional players while you have no videos of yourself? and i highly doubt you can provide proof of your ability to judge others or play the horn yourself. reviewing your previous comments on other videos you are just an ill mannered and more then likely inferior horn player, so why attempt to dilute the name of such a profound musician as Ruske? I suggest you play your music and let others play theirs. they get paid to

[SiegfriedHorner]

@dawnedeclipse No,having heard the best,I actually compliment many players,and I did refer to Mr. Ruske as an "excellent " player.Any public performance invites commentary.My comments are based upon 40 years of professional (i.e., PAID) experience and being associated with many superb players in both Europe and the U.S. I have no need to prove anything.Your somewhat juvenile comments assume much absent ANY foundation,which is to be expected on such a forum.MOST pros are not on YT.

[piliage]

@SiegfriedHorner "Any major orchestra has at least 1 or 2". Hmmm, as a former 1 or 2 in a couple pro orchestras, I think you are totally and completely wrong. Eric is regarded by many if not most of the pros as one of the best of the best. He won Principal of the Cleveland Orchestra at 20 years old for Christ sake, and many of the top players in the world auditioned for that job that year and he kicked their tails. His playing with the Empire Brass quintet was simply outrageous.

[SiegfriedHorner]

@piliage I stand by my comments, which do not diminish Mr. Ruske's playing, but merely point out the ubiquitousness of fine players extant today. I did say "major" orchestras, which should be understood to mean world class. There's not sufficient room here to list the many superb players on the scene today, but the evidence abounds. Your definition of "pros" seems to include anyone who is paid to play.While I accept that, it's also true that many so-categorized are mediocre.Just listen.

[piliage]

@SiegfriedHorner You said earlier, "But there are many players who play as well. or even better; Any major orchestra has at least 1 or 2." I was responding directly to your absurd assertion. If you think any major 'world class' orchestra 1 or 2 could slap a cold mouthpiece up on their face and simply bash through this Bach and sound like that, you sir are sadly mistaken. I'd love to see and hear the videos though, they would be damn funny at parties.

[SiegfriedHorner]

@piliage It's only an "absurd assertion" to those who aren't aware of the level of talent which exists amongst the upper echelon of hornists,or who haven't witnessed many auditions for top-tier positions.I don't know how "cold" Mr. Ruske was,but I suspect,having his horn at hand,that he warmed up some prior to the class.Of course, he played exceptionally well,but not without error.If you think this music is beyond the capabilities of many other quality hornists,you're simply wrong.Ask Mr. Ruske.

[piliage]

@SiegfriedHorner I'm well aware of the level of playing upper echelon and otherwise out there, and you are spouting nonsense. This was a throw away gig, you said any other 1 or 2 in 'any pro orcherstra', later hedged to 'world class' can do it this well or better. I say BS. Anyway, prattle on about how I'm wrong, its obvious you know the business WAY better than me...

[SiegfriedHorner]

@piliage "WAY better"..that point seems proven by your own words.MISQUOTING me does not support your objections.I said "MAJOR orchestra",not merely "pro",which could mean ANY ensemble which is paid.If I'd said that,you'd be correct.Point is,there are and have been MANY high quality hornists,of which Mr. Ruske is surely one.Any one willing expend the small effort of surveying only YT content will find that there ARE many very skilled players shown in live,virtuosic performance.ASK Mr. Ruske!

[davidcooperhorn]

I think I was at this masterclass! It was in January of 2001 I believe, not 2004. Did he acknowledged Louis Stout in the audience at the same performance.

[davidcooperhorn]

I think I was at this masterclass! It was in January of 2001 I believe, not 2004 and he acknowledged Louis Stout in the audience at the same performance.

[willhiro1]

もっといい曲のはずなんだけどな・・・

[PINBALLDOC]

I repectfully disagree. This recording was just a portion of a master class that Eric conducted. He performed the Gliere expertly with the GR Symphony later in the week with rave reviews. Of his master class I'll must say - he spent more time correcting the students on their presentation more than playing. Announcing the piece, the accompanist, showing confidence, acknowledging the audience - things that most inexperienced performers don't consider. This is refreshing & often overlooked.

[DjediaMusic]

Eric is a great symphony player, but fair solo player...

[horn3ine]

Check out Radek Baborak's recording of this piece!!! It's free to download on his website! :)

[stephencraigen]

Allemande from the Bach Flute Partita BWV 1013.

Good, but sorry guys Radek Baborak wins by a mile. There's a free recording under 'media' on his website...google it.

[naxeldelenarkie]

@stephencraigen The Baborak recording is awesome, but it's not fair to compare a studio recording to a live performance.

[stephencraigen]

@naxeldelenarkie True...but I bet you Radek did those in one take :P

[musicman101353]

Great player and I am glad that his stuff is now showing up on you tube. I emailed him over Thanksgiving weekend to ask what french horn he plays and what mouthpiece he recommends to his students. He answered my right away from his blackberry and was very nice. He plays a Lewis Horn and thought it was a Giardinelli C-30 but wasn't sure. LOL.

[carlek]

@MrGottaLoveMe1 his horn is made by Steve Lewis.

[Gbrinkster360]

hes AMAZING

[BarrellyRoll]

his accuracy is the envy of me.

[MrChumsx4]

@PINBALLDOC its Bach: Partita in a minor , Allemande

[josefedward]

From our days at Interlochen - Eric has always been a really good player - probably a much better symphony player than soloist. Between he and Mark Abbott going at it every week in WYSO auditions - really great memories... :) As far as his performance here, it's pretty good, but not his best by far. 

[dantlewis]

Fantastic, and I love also how he screws up a few times, makes him seem a bit more mortal in his horn playing...

[trr321321]

He's a very good player, but that is not a very horn-like sound, IMHO.

[44jesusfreak4]

whats the name of the song

[44jesusfreak4]

thats actually all i needed thanks

[muska61]

wuaau!!amazing!

[44jesusfreak4]

remember tommy sicard?

[dantlewis]

Truly amazing, got to be one of the greatest horn players alive today. And I love how he also screws up several times, humanizes him a little bit...

[MonsterMash51]

@dantlewis thats not screwing up, its a constructive blooper.

[donatoinglese]

erik ruske you are fantastical empire brass hornsit fantastical awesome saluto da italia