What is Alfred Edwin Brain Jr.?
'''Alfred Edwin Brain Jr.''' (born [[London]], 24 October 1885; died [[Los Angeles]], 29 March 1966) was an [[England|English]] player of the [[French horn]]. He came from a family which included many famous horn players, including his [[nephew]], [[Dennis Brain]] who became perhaps the most famous horn player of all time. ==Life== A.E.Brain Jr (Junior, to distinguish him from his father who had the same name) was born in 1885. His father, [[Alfred Edwin Brain Sr.]] was a well-known horn player. Alfred started to learn the [[trumpet]] when he was six, but when he was twelve he changed to the [[French horn]] and learned from his father. He studied at the [[Royal Academy of Music]] with [[Adolf Borsdorf]] and also learned the [[piano]] from G.D.Cunningham who was to teach his nephew the [[pipe organ|organ]] some forty years later. His first professional job was with the Scottish Orchestra. He then played in the Queen’s Hall Orchestra and the [[London Symphony Orchestra]]. When [[World War I]] broke out he joined the Scots Guards, but later, in 1917, he did a lot of dangerous work in [[France]] where the fighting was taking place. After the war he was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal for his bravery. When he returned after the war he got jobs with several of the London orchestras, including [[Royal Opera House|Covent Garden]] where he played for Sir [[Thomas Beecham]]. His brother [[Aubrey Brain|Aubrey]], also an excellent horn player, returned from the war after him. By this time Alfred had got all the best horn jobs in London, so it was difficult for Aubrey to find the best jobs. In 1923, he emigrated to the [[United States]]. He played in the [[New York Philharmonic Orchestra]] and later for the [[Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra]]. In his later years he recorded a lot in [[movie]] studios, including for [[20th century Fox]]. ==References== * Oxford Music Online retrieved 21.11.2010 * Pettitt, Stephen. ''Dennis Brain: A Biography''. London: Robert Hale, 1976. ISBN 0-7091-5772-X