basset horn

American  

noun

1. an alto horn with a soft tone.

---

basset horn British  

noun

1. an obsolete woodwind instrument of the clarinet family

---

Etymology

Origin of basset horn

1825–35; < German Bassetthorn < Italian corno di bassetto horn of a somewhat low range. See corn ², basset ¹

Example Sentences

Michael’s primary instrument is the trumpet; Lucifer’s, the trombone; Eve’s, the basset horn.

From The New Yorker

Like that piece, its orchestration calls for basset horns and leans heavily on the lower strings, setting a richly somber tone that conjures an organ-like timbre.

From New York Times

His conducting and the orchestra’s playing conveyed audible delight at exploring a whole new corner of Mozart, complete with occasional deep-diving solos on the rarely used basset horn by clarinetist Stuart Clark.

From Los Angeles Times

It was his encounter with Anton Stadler — an instrument maker and virtuoso on both the clarinet and the deeper, more veiled-sounding basset horn — that inspired Mozart to write groundbreaking clarinet parts.

From New York Times

Mr. Benjamin’s rumbling, spectral and mysterious music, scored for an unusual ensemble including basset horns and a banjo, worked its magic in Sunday’s taut, intense concert performance.

From New York Times