[Trombone-l] Alto Trombone requirement at Vanderbilt

[Ray Horton]

I'll see you, and raise you one.  Bore and sound-wise, modern altos are, 
for the most part, LARGER than tenors in Mozart's time (I haven't 
re-read Howard's article, of which he was kind enough to send me a copy 
today, yet, to see if he confirms this.) 


Howard or anyone else can correct me if I am wrong about one difference 
in performance nowadays - performance expectations are likely much 
higher now than in past centuries.  My opinion is that Eb alto use on 
Beethoven 5th makes a great deal of sense, regardless of what was played 
at the premiere.  This _in no way_ diminishes Howard's valuable work. 


Raymond Horton


Borden, Lawrence wrote:
> Folks,
>
>  
>
> Actually, I agree with Howard on the use/misuse of the alto trombone in
> the modern orchestra. Unfortunately, I have had situations in which
> conductors have "requested" use of an alto trombone in various works.
> They may be wrong - but I'm certainly not going to argue the point with
> them; not a good career move!!
>
>  
>
> The other argument for using an alto is that the modern alto is actually
> a very large instrument and generally sounds like a small bore tenor. In
> that case, since the historical instruments were small bore tenors, one
> can argue - what's the difference?
>
>  
>
> Larry
>
>  
>
> Lawrence Borden
> Associate Professor of Trombone, Vanderbilt University
> Principal Trombone, Nashville Symphony Orchestra
> H  615.255.4191    C  615.397.1253    O  615.322.7676
> Lawrence.Borden at Vanderbilt.edu <mailto:Lawrence.Borden at Vanderbilt.edu>  
> www.vanderbilt.edu/trombonestudio
> <http://www.vanderbilt.edu/trombonestudio> 
>
>  
>
>  
>
>  
>
>   
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