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. 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 (185658) 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 conservatoires; he was eventually put in touch with a private collector who loaned him a set. 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 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). See also Alto horn Baritone horn Flugelhorn Euphonium Sudrophone References J. Howard Foote catalog, 1893 Discography Saxhorn et piano - Hybrid'Music Label - October 2008 David Maillot, saxhorn - Géraldine Dutroncy, piano – Works by Eugène Bozza, Marcel Bitsch, Jacques Castérède, Alain Bernaud, Henri Tomasi, Claude Pascal, Gérard Devos, and Roger Boutry. 14 Volumes of saxhorn band are available featuring The First Brigade Band. External links Dodworth Saxhorn Band Greg's Brass History Page First Brigade Band Galpin Society list of extant Adolphe Sax instruments Brass instruments B-flat instruments E-flat instruments Horns