Ben Maynard

MUSE 250
12-6-16
The Legacy of Philip Farkas

Each musical instrument is exclusively represented by one or more legend(s) in every field. This
paper will seek to inform about a master of horn: Philip Farkas. Philip Farkas was born in 1914 and
passed away 1992 after a considerably incredible life as a musician, teacher, and horn pedagogue. He was
born in the Chicago suburb, Elmhurst, into a household of no musical background or training. Farkas
played his first note on a brass instrument when he was attending Emil G. Hirsch Grade School. His
engagements with his gym teacher was negative, so he decided to join the marching band where he
learned tuba. His conductor soon forced him to return the tuba and rent a French horn. Although his
parents had no musical involvement, they supported him and his habit by buying him his first double horn
during the tough times of the depression. Farkas studied with Earl Stricker and Louis Defransne as a
young player worked as an usher for Orchestra Hall earning $1.25/day, to pay for the lessons. Farkas
began attending Calumet high School, along with attending Chicago Civic Orchestra rehearsals (training
group for Chicago Symphony Orchestra). Farkas experienced his first gig at the age of fourteen, when he
joined boy scouts and acted as his troops bugler. This experience was by far just the beginning for a life
full of professional horn playing.
Three short years after he began high school and at the age of eighteen, Farkas joined the brand
new Kansas City Philharmonic. He played in this orchestra for three years before he was offered the
principal horn chair in the orchestra located in his hometown, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Furthermore, he signed this contract with Chicago at the age of twenty-one. Farkas was stuck and felt like
he could no longer acquire a raise while performing with the Chicago Symphony, so he moved on to the
Cleveland Orchestra in 1941. Due to the fact that Cleveland didnt offer as many concert series as
Chicago did, he involved himself in various side jobs. Four years later, he was offered a spot in the
Boston Symphony Orchestra playing alternate first horn. This position allowed him enough spare time to
play in a brass quintet and play as a substitute in the New York Philharmonic. Farkas was widely known
for his orchestral playing, which landed him back in the Cleveland, and eventually the Chicago

Ben Maynard
MUSE 250
12-6-16
Symphony once again. Needless to say, Philip Farkas was famous for his principal orchestral horn playing
throughout the nation.
Philip Farkas not only was a successful performer, but had many achievements as
a

teacher, pedagogue, and over all musician. Farkas has a tremendous reputation
for his teaching ability. Farkas has taught at institutions including: Kansas City
Conservatory, Cleveland Institute, DePaul University, Roosevelt University,

Northwestern University, and Indiana University alongside his orchestral jobs. Considering the caliber of
these schools music programs, Farkas is considered a legend in the collegiate teaching realm. Once
retired from teaching, he traveled and taught clinics and performed. Farkas was additionally known for
his outspoken French horn and brass pedagogy. He is widely known for publishing his book called The
Art of French Horn Playing and The Art of Brass Playing. The Art of French Horn Playing is commonly
referred to today as the French horn bible. Farkas also designed his own line of mouthpieces, which
was the result of a life long process of testing. Along with these accomplishments, Farkas is the cofounder of the International Horn Society. Moreover, he was extremely involved in the French horn
communitys communication. In Budapest, a horn competition was named after him and was known as
the Philip Farkas Horn Competition.
In closing, Philip Farkas was widely looked up to in the French horn and brass world. I must also
point out that he is also considered a legend for playing with a professional symphony orchestra before he
was out of high school. Additionally, it remains difficult to seek someone of Farkass prestige of
preforming and teaching today in the French horn world, and even in the brass world. Philip Farkass
main album was released in 1995 that consisted of interviews and French horn pieces formed solo, along
with ensemble pieces. This album is titled Shared Reflections. Philip Farkas left an inspiring legacy
behind him and can motivate musicians by his incredible story.

Ben Maynard
MUSE 250
12-6-16

Sources:

"Philip F. Farkas (1914-1992) - IHS Online." Philip F. Farkas (1914-1992) - IHS Online.
N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2016.
Philip Farkas: The Legacy of a Master: The Man Who Defined Symphonic Horn
Playing as Seen through His Writings and the Comments of Colleagues and Students. Northfield,
IL: Instrumentalist Pub., 1990. Print.
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