[Dixielandjazz] The trombone..

[Stan Brager]

Thanks, Henry, that's a wonderful quote by Berlioz and he speaks the truth. What he forgot to mention is the trombone's delightful sense of humor.

Stan
Stan Brager
Trombonist-in-Training
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Henry Mason 
  To: Stan Brager 
  Cc: Bob Romans ; d. sleeman ; DJML 
  Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2006 1:16 AM
  Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] The trombone..


  Gents,

  As one of the protagonists in a lifelong dispute with the trombone which it is to this day still winning,  I must protest any besmirching of God's own instrument.      Still I am not as eloquent as the old masters, some of whom populate this list,  so I will bring to your attention the following quote which seems to describe the proper reverence for this most noble of instruments. 

  ""In my opinion, the trombone is the true head of the family of wind instruments, which I have named the 'epic' one. It possesses nobility and grandeur to the highest degree; it has all the serious and powerful tones of sublime musical poetry, from religious, calm and imposing accents to savage, orgiastic outbursts. Directed by the will of the master, the trombones can chant like a choir of priests, threaten, utter gloomy sighs, a mournful lament, or a bright hymn of glory; they can break forth into awe-inspiring cries and awaken the dead or doom the living with their fearful voices."
  ... Hector Berlioz,Treatise on Instrumentation, 1843