The faces of the performers appeared as if animated by a prophetic fury, and their distended cheeks would have reminded one of the fat-faced cherubim sometimes seen on a church organ, only that they were older, redder, and accompanied by a ‘jutting friz’ of mustacio that cast a shade. An overture in E minor attracted my attention from the brilliancy of execution and expression with which the trombone players accomplished some most unwieldy passages for their instrument.
Here, while the cooling luxuries of lemonade and ice are imbibed, there is a regale of excellent instrumental music.
A contemporary watercolor by Franz Stöber depicting Beethoven’s funeral shows 4 trombonists leading the enormous procession.ġ827-Cherubini’s Requiem in C Minor, which calls for 3 trombones, is performed at Beethoven’s funeral (Chase 191).ġ827-Carl Queisser performs the Meyer Concertino.ġ827-London: A political cartoon by John Doyle entitled The Tory Band includes a trombonist in military uniform playing an instrument with an extension handle (see below image public domain).ġ827-Cologne, Germany: British traveler Edward Holmes witnesses a church performance: “Two horns, clarionets, bassoons, and a bass trombone, played in a smooth manner and extremely subdued, supplied the place of an itinerant organ, and supported the voices in those parts where the modulation was somewhat more learned than suits merely vocal music” (Holmes 29).ġ827-Munich, Germany: British traveler Edward Holmes hears outdoor instrumental music with virtuosic trombone playing: “For the benefit of the strollers and holiday-makers in Munich, bands play twice a week in the open square of the king’s palace, which both for look and accommodation may vie with the Palais Royal in Paris. Breitkopf and Härtel publishes it a few years later (between 18).ġ826-Leipzig, Germany: Carl Queisser performs a transcription of Carl Maria von Weber’s Concerto for Horn for a benefit concert at the Gewandhaus (Lewis, Gewandhaus).ġ826-Leipzig, Germany: Carl Queisser’s transcription of the Carl Maria von Weber Horn Concertino calls for multiphonics in the cadenza (Wallace, Brass Solo 250).ġ826-Marriotti, Smithies, and Schoengen are trombonists in the orchestra at Weber’s funeral at Moorfields Chapel (Carse, Orchestra 491).ġ826-London, England: 3 trombonists are included in the Royal Academy of Music 6th concert at the Hanover Square Rooms (Carse, Orchestra 491).ġ826-Broek, Netherlands: March of the Cavalry, a “catchpenny” military print that features numerous musicians, includes a rear-facing trombone on horseback (see facing detail public domain).ġ827-Paris, France: The Opéra Comique contains 3 trombones (Herbert, Trombone 334).ġ827-Vienna, Austria: Beethoven’s trombone quartet, Drei Equali, is performed at his own funeral procession (a trombone quartet alternates with a vocal version retroactively set with a Miserere text).
The writing below the drawing reads, “At the Marine Officers Mess Room, at Woolwich, during Dinner” (see below image public domain) (British Museum).ġ826-London: The Royal Academy of Music concerts utilize 3 trombones (Herbert, Trombone 334).ġ826-Friedrich Belcke’s Concertino isfirst performed (by the composer).
USS Dwight D.1826-A drawing by George Scharf features military musicians playing various instruments, including both serpent and trombone.