August Knopf

August Knopf Circular Alto Horn in E♭
Archived Collection Piece: This instrument is no longer held in the physical collection.

This E♭ alto horn is built in a distinctive circular form by the specialized German manufacturing house of August Knopf in Markneukirchen. While its exact year of manufacture remains unknown, the instrument stands as an exceptional example of traditional Vogtland valve craftsmanship and is in excellent, fully playable condition. Within the context of the collection's history, this instrument served a deeply personal and practical purpose for me; after I began exploring the alto horn during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, I acquired this circular model to serve as a stepping stone toward mastering the complex mechanics and embouchure of the traditional French horn for community band performances. Following my successful transition to the French horn, the instrument was no longer utilized, and I subsequently decided to sell it to a new home, though its technical lineage and superb playability remain documented here as a vital chapter in the collection's evolution.