Offen

As Printed on a Score

Printed over horn and other brass parts after stopped (gestopft, +) or muted notes, where open tone resumes; often reinforced (“immer offen”, “a 2. offen”). For single notes the small circle (o) above the note does the same job.

How Composers Use It

Offen restores the natural tone after stopping or muting — brighter, rounder and freer. Mahler marks it constantly in horn and trumpet parts because players need certainty about each note’s colour. Mark it even where it seems obvious, especially after rests or where stopped and open notes alternate; it implies nothing about loudness and appears at any dynamic.

Example

Mahler, Symphony No. 5, fifth movement (Rondo-Finale), first horn, m. 592: “offen” at p.

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