Editing Saxhorn (section)

== History ==
Developed during the mid-to-late 1830s, the saxhorn family was patented in Paris in 1845 by [[Adolphe Sax]]. During the 19th century, the debate as to whether the saxhorn family was truly new, or rather a development of previously existing instruments, was the subject of prolonged lawsuits.<ref>{{cite book|title=The British Brass Band : A Musical and Social History|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=0-19-816698-2|year=2000|page=169}}</ref>

Throughout the mid-1850s, Sax continued to experiment with the instrument's valve pattern.

The Trojan March (''Marche Troyenne'') of the Berlioz opera ''[[Les Troyens]]'' (1856{{ndash}}58) features an on-stage band which includes a family of saxhorns. The Royal Hunt and Storm (''Chasse Royale'') from the same opera uses them orchestrally. Sir [[John Eliot Gardiner]] wanted to use them in his 2003 recording, but was unable to borrow them from major [[conservatoire]]s; he was eventually put in touch with a private collector who loaned him a set.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bachtrack.com/interview-berlioz-150-john-eliot-gardiner-benvenuto-cellini-troyens-february-2019 |title=Berlioz 150: Sir John Eliot Gardiner on Les Troyens and Benvenuto Cellini |first=Mark |last=Pullinger |website=bachtrack.com |date=19 February 2019 |access-date=8 July 2021}}</ref>

Saxhorns were popularized by the distinguished [[Distin]] Quintet, who toured Europe during the mid-19th century. This family of musicians, publishers and instrument manufacturers had a significant impact on the growth of the [[Brass band (British style)|brass band]] movement in Britain during the mid- to late-19th century.

The saxhorn was the most common brass instrument in [[American Civil War]] bands.  The over-the-shoulder variety of the instrument was used, as the backward-pointing bell of the instrument allowed troops marching behind the band to hear the music.

Contemporary works featuring this instrument are [[Désiré Dondeyne]]'s ''Tubissimo'' for bass tuba or saxhorn and piano (1983), [[Olivier Messiaen]]'s ''[[Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum]]'' (1964), and [[Dmitri Shostakovich]]'s "[[March of the Soviet Militia]]" (1970).

{{Gallery
|title=Historical saxhorns
|align=center
|File:MHS Saxhorn.jpg|Saxhorn used by the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the Civil War. The backward-facing bell version became the most common brass instrument in Civil War bands so that troops marching behind the band could hear the music. From the collection of the [http://www.mnhs.org Minnesota Historical Society.] 
|Image:saxhorn.jpg|Band of 10th Veteran Reserve Corps, Washington, D.C., April, 1865
|File:Unidentified soldier of Co. H, 13th Virginia Infantry Regiment in uniform with over the shoulder saxhorn LCCN2016652810.jpg|Unidentified soldier of Co. H, 13th Virginia Infantry Regiment in uniform with over the shoulder saxhorn
}}