YouTube of the Week: Joseph Alessi plays Bolero

Adam Meyer — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:40:00 +0000

The first of many YouTubes that I will recommend over time; let’s start off with one that I shot. In early 2008 I attended a professional development weekend with Joseph Alessi, Principal Trombone of the New York Philharmonic and one of the world’s leading trombonists. It was a very fulfilling experience, especially because it helped me see how much work I still have to do.

On the Sunday, Mr Alessi was conducting an excerpts masterclass. Whilst working on a student’s performance of the infamous solo from Ravel’s Bolero, Alessi decided to perform it himself. I have never grabbed and turned on my camera in such a short period of time. I decided to post it to YouTube for the pedagogical benefit of trombonists the world over (90,000+ views last time I checked). Simultaneously, it turns out that I also provided the first footage of Alessi’s performance on the prototype of what is now the Edwards T396-A Alessi Model Trombone; confirmed when Edwards themselves distributed a link to my YouTube to their entire mailing list. (Imagine my surprise when I clicked the link only to watch my own video!)

Anyhow – please enjoy

Tribute to Steve Witser

Adam Meyer — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 05:05:00 +0000

Now, for my first music-related post. Many trombonists around the world were shocked and saddened to hear of the untimely death of Steve Witser at age 48! For many years the Associate Principal Trombone of the Cleveland Orchestra, myself and others were quite confounded at how such a great player could be continuously looked over whilst the CO went through countless auditions and trial periods for the Principal Trombone job (only just recently settled with Massimo La Rosa being granted tenure).

Nevertheless, myself and those same others were happy to hear when Witser gained the Principal Trombone position with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, succeeding Ralph Sauer after 30+ years in the position. (FYI – I met Ralph when he was in Australia for the 2007 Melbourne International Festival of Brass and managed to have a 2-hour chat and beer(s) with him – a great player and a gentleman to boot!)

A few years ago, I reviewed (for the Online Trombone Journal) a fantastic recording of a trombone quartet featuring Steve and the late Ray Premru. My closing comments in that review lamented that Premru’s death signalled the end of this quartet; a tragedy now compounded with Witser’s own passing. As my own little tribute to them both, I have included the link to this review below. Please read it through, and even better, buy the recording itself!

Until next time,
Adam Meyer

Review: “Too Scared To Play”

Project Atticus: Adam Meyer » Trombone

YouTube of the Week: Joseph Alessi plays Bolero

Tribute to Steve Witser