Many times attempts were made during the past 150 years to revive horn music in Russia, to revive the music that used to raise rapturous praises from its contemporaries. Yet all these attempts invariably failed.

As the secrets of this unique art were lost, it seemed impossible that the astonishing sounds of the Russian horns could be heard again. Yet miracles occur from time to time. In September 2001, with blessings from the rector Artemy Skripkin of Saints Peter and Paul Church at Gertsen University, a group of musicians began their work. Soon the first horn samples were made and the musicians began to master the horn playing skills.

The first playing sessions beat all expectations and demonstrated well why horn music fascinated its listeners many dozen years before. The musicians called their band The Russian Horn Cappella.

The number of players in the orchestra was growing as more and more horns were made.


The first session of the modern horn orchestra, Sts. Peter and Paul Church at Gertsen University

The Rector of the Gertsen University G.A. Bordovsky has supported this Russian horn music revival project. Now performances of The Russian Horn Cappella are part of the cultural program of this university.

Count Razumovsky's Palace, now part of Gertsen University

Now St. Petersburg residents and guests can hear Russian horn music performances at an historical place, the former Count Razumovsky Palace that is now the main building of the Gertsen University.

Now the Russian Horn Cappella has 17 musicians and 72 horns - from 10 cm to 2.5 m long. Unlike the horn orchestras of the past when each musician played only one horn, each musician of The Russian Horn Cappella has to play sometimes 2-5 horns.

Listeners say the music of the Russian Horn Cappella gives them a special experience they have never had before.