From Denson Paul Pollard’s Podcast with David Krauss:
‘I had no lessons – no trombone lessons – until I was a freshman in college.
‘Nothing.
‘Opera? Are you kidding? No way.’
Listen here.
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Now that you figured out what opera is, please let me know. All I know is that it ain’t over until . . . .
Given the trombone’s literature, and the beer-and-cigars mentality of much of its community, it would seem musical education isn’t a high priority. Hopefully times are changing.
Brahms liked beer and cigars. Of course, he didn’t study the trombone.
Yes, but that was the 19th century, and in any case, he kept the macho affectations to a minimum. Somehow, a theme and variations on Blue Bells of Scotland didn’t appeal to him.
Really? You know that for a fact? Is it likely he would have ever heard “The Blue Bells of Scotland”? . . . at least it’s short.
Trombone in an opera orchestra?
Aside from the Ring, the audition committee makes sure that the winning candidate can count rests of over 100 measures, play a whole note (finals will include some 8th notes but not until the final round), and sneak backstage to the musicians lounge to get the coffee ready for intermission.
Richard Strauss operas can keep them pretty busy too.