I recently came across two humorous ophicleide images from 19th century France (1847 and 1862, below) while doing some trombone history research. The ophicleide, by the way, is a fellow low brass instrument—a 19th century invention that is considered a…
Just for Fun
Just for Fun: Faerie's Aire and Death Waltz
Just for fun–below is a copy of Faerie’s Aire and Death Waltz, a piece many of you may have come across on the orchestra bulletin board. Not a bad idea to review it from time to time…truly an excellent recital…
Trombone Saves Man's Life
Just added this touching story to the 19th century timeline (2nd half): 1875—New York: Harper’s Magazine publishes a humorous fictional piece, “The Story of a Trombone,” with illustrations by Charles Reinhardt. The story is about a man who lives below…
Bassoonist Does Battle
Another off-topic post, again about an image that I couldn’t pass up from Cassin-Scott and Fabb’s Military Bands and Their Uniforms (London: Blandford Press, 1978): We occasionally hear stories about military musicians pressed into actual combat situations. This picture, a…
Bandmaster Cigarettes–A Different Era
This is off-topic, but I came across this authentic cigarette advertisement from c. 1900 in Cassin-Scott and Fabb’s Military Bands and Their Uniforms (London: Blandford Press, 1978, p. 93) (see below image; public domain). There are several things here that…
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! Below is a great little image reflecting the Stadpfiefer/Moravian tradition of trombonists playing from towers, an important part of the history of the trombone. For more information about the image, see the 20th Century Timeline.
Google Analytics Update: 2,000-Plus Visits!
I mentioned a month ago that at the end of every month I get a website report from Google called “Google Analytics.” The report details all sorts of things, including how many visits the site had that month, which pages…
First Day of Snow
Our first significant snowfall here in Utah today. Time to play in the snow! You never know when good slide technique might pay off. The below image is from the 19th century trombone timeline (2nd half).
Google Analytics Tidbits: Sneaking up on 2,000
At the end of every month I get a website report from Google called “Google Analytics.” It details all sorts of things, including how many visits the site had that month, which pages are getting viewed most, which countries people…
Happy Halloween!
I don’t have any trombone history entries or images on Halloween, per se, but this depiction of a carnival procession from 1589 includes a trombone and involves some fairly elaborate costumes. The image, by artist Nicolas von Riedt, is titled Fastnachtszug…