Joseph Kenn, born 21/9/1757 in Zweibrücken, came to Paris in 1782. Since 1783 he was the 2nd hornist at the Grand Opera and one of the famous soloists of the so called "cor basse". 1795 - 1802 he was also professor for horn at the Paris Conservatoire. Among his students was also Louis Dauprat. The reforms of the Conservatoire in 1802 made him unemployed. As second horn player he was retired in 1808. Dauprat got in his place. He died on February 14, 1840 in Fontainebleau.
Kenn composed horn trios, duos for horn and clarinet and several duos for two horns.
The first published trios were edited in a volume of 24 pieces by Imprimerie du Conservatoire in Paris 1797, named Recueil d´airs. Tne new edition by Janet et Cotelle after 1808 was revised by Kenn's student Louis François Dauprat (1781-1868). The additional trio numbers 25 to 36 had probably been played by Dauprat in the lesson with his teacher Kenn. This composition for the natural horn shows the efforts of Kenn to change the solo turns between the three horn parts. Anton Reicha and Dauprat are one of Kenn's followers in composing excellent trios for horns.
