Jacques-François Gallay

**Jacques-François Gallay** was a 19th-century French horn virtuoso and composer who left a lasting mark on the world of classical music, especially for horn players. Known as a leading figure of the *cor solo* tradition in Paris, he rocked the natural horn scene (that’s the valveless ancestor of the modern horn!) with his technical brilliance and expressive playing. Gallay wasn’t just a performer—he also composed lush fantasias on popular opera themes, dreamy chamber works for horn ensembles, and challenging études like his *Twelve Etudes for Second Horn, Op. 57* (1847), which are still a rite of passage for horn students today. As a professor at the Paris Conservatoire, he trained a generation of musicians, blending Romantic flair with the natural horn’s unique voice. His music, from préludes to operatic medleys, bridges the gap between the instrument’s pastoral roots and its soaring Romantic potential, making him a cornerstone of horn repertoire. Fun fact: If you’ve ever heard a horn player mutter “Gallay” during practice, they’re probably sweating through one of his famously tricky études!

Genres

Classical

Opera

Chamber Music

French Classical

Virtuoso

Brass Music

19th Century Classical

Western Classical

Latest Release

Gallay: Twelve Etudes for Second Horn, op. 57 (1847)

Jacques-François Gallay

Album - 24 Tracks - Released September 14, 2017