[Trombone-l] Alto Trombone requirement at Vanderbilt

[Howard Weiner]

At 19:35 25.01.2009 -0500, Ray Horton wrote:
>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.)

My article does not confirm this, simply because I didn't discuss 
this aspect (but Ray's statement is undoubtedly correct). Indeed, my 
article "only" has to do with the historical use of the alto (and 
bass) trombone(s).

As far as the use of modern alto trombones is concerned, I take a 
pragmatic stance: for modern orchestral work the alto is in many 
cases the instrument that can provide the appropriate sound. If the 
conductor wants an alto, give it to him, he's the boss. (Larry's 
comments on this issue are right on the mark!)

Nevertheless, even if a modern orchestral trombonist decides to use 
an alto, s/he should at least have some inkling of the historical 
background, at least be aware that the alto trombone was most likely 
NOT the instrument that the composer knew or expected, that alto clef 
alone does not automatically indicate alto trombone, that in the 18th 
and 19th centuries there was no standardized trombone section -- the 
alto as well as the bass trombones were used in some places, but not in others.

>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.

Yes and no. I think there were extraordinary players at every time in 
history, but the average level of playing is undoubtedly much higher 
today, and there are probably more great players today than even a 
half a century ago.

Howard


>  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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> >
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--
Howard Weiner
h.weiner at online.de
http://howard-weiner.de/

Tosca jumped to a conclusion.