HE FRONT COVE
The Front Cover:
One of a Kind – AN INTERVIEW WITH ROB BURTENSHAW
BY AL ASTAIR WARREN
After more than 40 years as sub-principal trombone with the Orchestra of Opera North, Rob Burtenshaw retired on 23 September following a final concert at Huddersfield Town Hall that included a performance of Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony and Elgar’s Cello Concerto. To mark the occasion, I caught up with him to look back over his career, and to share tributes from his colleagues in the Opera North trombone section. Alastair Warren: When did you first pick up a trombone, and what was your route to Opera North? Rob Burtenshaw: Originally from Scarborough, I started on tenor horn with Scarborough Town Band and then quickly moved on to the trombone, being taught by the aptly named Joe Blewitt. I enjoyed playing with the Band on Sundays, at holiday camps or at the Spa, and the cricket festival. Attempting to play 76 Trombones at a tender age certainly pushed my technique. After having lessons with Nev Roberts when the Hallé played in Bradford with Barbirolli I got a place at Chetham’s School of Music where I was taught by Peter Lacey. Chet’s was an all-round education; Residents (Boarders) had a weekday trade sweeping or cleaning bins, then 30 minutes practice before breakfast! And on Saturday’s, if you didn’t play rugby, you had extra jobs,
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such as replacing light bulbs or moving pianos. The trombone lessons were a delight in comparison, and so were the many orchestral, chamber and solo concerts. In the 6th Form I would be sent off, with David Hall on the piano, to perform such pieces as Saint Saens’ Cavatine, a Handel Concerto or the second of Defaye’s Deux Danses. We were usually joined by David Greed (who went on to become the founding Leader of Opera North, a post he still holds today). And you always had to be ready for the Boss (headmaster) to call you in to tell you to play a piece for some visitors. I then went to the Royal College of Music as an Exhibitioner and was taught by the legendary Arthur Wilson. I have fond memories of trombone section sessions with Arthur taking Sue Addison and I and Dave Gordon through lots of repertoire, especially Brahms. In those days there was much paid work for the students at weekends with amateur orchestras and choral societies. My first gig at the end of week one was La Creation du Monde by Milhaud up near the top of Norfolk and by the third year I was becoming quite familiar with the Requiems of Verdi, Berlioz, Mozart and such like. In my final year I won the Arthur Somerville brass prize and gained the ARCM diploma with honours. Whilst in London I freelanced and got to enjoy playing second trombone with the English Chamber
