alexandre guilmant morceau symphonique program notes

Army Band in Fort Meyer, or of Harry Watters, who was his guest for one number, the trombone can produce music of impressive warmth, gentleness and subtlety, along with the fanfare-like brilliance and triple-tonguing showiness that are usually associated with brass instruments. In the hands of an expert such as Shelsta, who is also a member of Pershing's Own U.S. The golden age of solo trombone composition did not begin until the last century, and a substantial part of the instrument's repertoire was written by composers who are still alive. The trombone as a solo instrument has not interested mainstream composers as much as these stringed instruments, although it has been around longer than they have. None of them quite equaled Beethoven's 'Kreutzer' sonata for violin and piano or Bach's great suites for unaccompanied cello. The program featured five works that most members of the audience must have been hearing for the first time. Saturday, in the elegant little auditorium at the Corcoran Gallery, the featured soloist was the orchestra's principal trombonist Scott Shelsta, with expert accompaniment by pianist Joseph Holt. Besides boosting the orchestra's morale, this series gives curious music lovers an opportunity to enjoy a lot of interesting, seldom-heard pieces. That's why Stephen Simon, founder and conductor of the Washington Chamber Symphony, also founded a solo recital series, now in its 13th season, that gives members of the orchestra an evening in the spotlight. For the music to work, your individuality has to be submerged in the total effect.

But your day-to-day job is a lot like that of a factory worker on an assembly line, closely coordinated with the work of colleagues, subject to the control and supervision of a conductor and deprived of the freedom and self-expression that solo artists take for granted. To get a job in a symphony orchestra or military band, you have to be an artist, born with a natural skill and formed by years of rigorous training.

Alexandre guilmant morceau symphonique program notes