THE LISTENING LOUNGE

In this edition of The Listening Lounge BTS Award winner Carol Jarvis, and BTS Committee members Simon Minshall, Tom Lees and Jon Stokes nominate a favourite track each to delight the ears and stimulate further exploration. These, and previous selections, can be found in The Listening Lounge playlist on the BTS YouTube channel Nominations of tracks or albums to include in The Listening Lounge can be made by emailing editor@britishtrombonesociety.org. The listening loungeLISTENINGAIRMEN OF NOTE – BONE VOYAGE Dave Steinmeyer’s trombone playing on And We Will Love Again from the 1984 album Bone Voyage is to die for, and across the whole album to be honest. Ballad playing is some of the hardest trombone playing to really do well, and Steinmeyer isn’t a trombonist often spoken about amongst a list of ’the greats’, but he’s absolutely on that list for me: the super Bb on this track is the best super Bb you’ll ever hear! And his final long note is just perfection. Carol Jarvis – BTS Sheila Tracey Award Winner 2021.

RICHARD STRAUSS – AN ALPINE SYMPHONY I never tire of hearing this work! Richard Strauss’ An Alpine Symphony involves upwards of 120 musicians and truly is, in my opinion, one of the most life-affirming and magical pieces of music ever written. This excerpt is Dangerous Moments-On the Summit. As part of the 4 strong trombone section on stage, we get to play the most beautiful chorales to the ear splitting crashes of thunder. Strauss' music really does showcase the brass. This recording by the London Symphony Orchestra is one of my favourites and reminds me of the true magic of amazing brass section playing. Simon Minshall – BTS President.

TED HEATH – I’LL CLOSE MY EYES Don Lusher and the Ted Heath Band playing I’ll Close My Eyes. Beautiful tune. Great arrangement. Expertly played. This particular recording is part of a series in which Ted Heath gives advice on orchestration and arrangement, so be sure to listen right to the end….. As a bonus, check out this video of the United House of Prayer band. The energy and passion are electric. I love the gentle hum of the backings, the unmoving rhythm and exuberant sousaphone coupled with a powerful delivery of the melody. Thank you Daddy! Jon Stokes – BTS Vice-President.

BY ALASTAIR WARREN LES SACBOUTIERS DE TOULOUSE – DIEGO ORTIZ Spanish viol virtuoso and composer Diego Ortiz‘ Trattado de Glosas (1553) is a treatise on ornamentation, ranked as one of the most influential theoretical works on performance of the Renaissance. This live performance by Daniel Lassalle of Recercada segunda sobre tenores italianos is given an extra kick by the additional percussion and rattled off with ease!. Tom Lees – BTS Chairman. 48