Sibelius 7 - Mravinsky - Trombonist

Can any of you supply the name of the Leningrad PO trombonist whose instrument (fruity vibrato and all) plays such a prominent role in the 1965 live Moscow recording. That wonderful primeval bray ....

While I find myself highly intolerant of vibrato in singers and violinists (ever heard Eugene Sarbu's recording of the Sibelius violin concerto) I have no problem with vibrato on Russian old-style French Horns or Trombones.

<< Can any of you supply the name of the Leningrad PO trombonist whose instrument (fruity vibrato and all) plays such a prominent role in the 1965 live Moscow recording. That wonderful primeval bray .. >>

A defining feature of a landmark performance

The trombonist was probably Achim Kozlov, a great name in Russian trombone history, who played first trombone in the Philharmonic well into his 70's. Or was it his colleague Viktor Venglovsky the assistant principal.

Tim Dowling (orchestral trombonist...)

I can't answer the question but I would like to mention Boris Ivanovski, Mr Mravinsky's timpanist for nearly 50 years who, if anyone is talking about recordings of the Leningrad Phil, at least deserves an honourable mention. He 'retired' aged 74.

Kind regards, Alan M. Watkins

And how old was Saul Goodman whane he retired?

Abbedd

'I can't answer the question but I would like to mention Boris Ivanovski, Mr Mravinsky's timpanist for nearly 50 years who, if anyone is talking about recordings of the Leningrad Phil, at least deserves an honourable mention. He 'retired' aged 74.'

it is great to get the names of some of these superb artists who performed with the great Leningrad PO during the Mravinsky years.

I'll add to the list - an 11/61 recording of the Mozart Sinf. Concertante in Eb K297b features:

Kiril Nikanchuk - oboe Vladimir Krasavin - clar Dmitri Yeremin - bassoon Vitali Buyanovsky - horn

I dont know if these artists are the principals or the assistants, but they were featured on a live program as the soloists, so I would assume they are principals. This program, from 11/61, is very close in time to the famous Mravinsky/LenPO recordings of the Tschaik 4, 5, 6 syms on DG - these were recorded in 9/1960 and 11/1960.

I don't know, but probably older! I know he was another great timpanist who served his orchestra with great distinction but there have been many over the years.

I cannot say for certain but it is possible that Herrmann Schneider MAY hold the record for playing professionally at an extreme age. He had been the timpanist of the Berlin State Opera Orchestra from the early 1900's until his retirement in about 1936-37 at the age of 75 or so. He had previously played in Hamburg.

Because of the Second World War the orchestra were short of musicians (I assume that, as in England, many were 'called up' into the forces) and he came out of retirement and resumed playing for the State Opera Orchestra for the duration of the war aged 80-plus. I have heard a few recordings by the orchestra at that time on Preiser records and mostly with Heger conducting and if he was the timpanist on those recordings it is very beautiful playing.

Kind regards, Alan M. Watkins

Mr Buyanovsky was certainly principal horn (he did the Mozart Horn Concertos, complete with vibrato, in Prague). I think the orchestra was pretty stable as to personnel and there's a high likelihood they all played on the Tchaikovsky recordings.

Mr Mravinsky was an extraordinary musician (not least for being the only conductor I know who had an ash tray built into the conductor's stand so he could merrily chain smoke his way through all rehearsals) but so, at least live, was Mr Svetlanov.

A label called Canyon (I think) issued Tchaikovsky 1-6 plus Manfred recorded live as Mr Svetlanov toured Japan with the USSR State Symphony around 1990. I'm not saying it is for everyone but if you like exciting and vivid Tchaikovsky aka Mr Mravinsky you might also like these. As with Mr Mravinsky, there is some phenomenal playing. I love Svetlanov's semi-quaver rest between the third movement of Symphony 4 and the finale

Interpretation is always a matter of opinion but the playing of the orchestra is absolutely outstanding. In their heyday, the USSR State was a truly great orchestra in my opinion equal to any orchestra in the world.

I will say, however, that I think Mr Svetlanov was the greatest interpreter I have ever played for of Liadov's wonderful piece 'The Enchanted Lake'.

Kind regards, Alan M. Watkins

Buyanovsky was the horn soloist on both Mravinsky's DG Tchaik 5's. A famous player and greatest exponent of the Leningrad horn 'school', and principal hornist for 30 years from the mid 50's on.

Alan Watkins wrote >

'In their heyday, the USSR State was a truly great orchestra in my opinion equal to any orchestra in the world.'

Was the USSR SSO a fixed orchestra with permanent personnel, or was it the showpiece orchestra that the Party Arts/Culture ministry put together for international tours??

[much like they put together all-star sports tems for olympic and international competitions. members might come from several different organizations.]

I heard them live in Rochester. NY - and they were excellent - huge orchestra, tho - lots of xtra winds, brass, percussion, etc.

I've always regarded the Leningrad PO as one of the world's greatest ensembles. wonderfully unique styles of playing, and superb virtuosity.

The Great Conductor video with the Mravinsky segment is well worth seeing/hearing. it's amazing - EM sits at the podium during rehearsal, smoking of course, seemingly non-chalantly tossing out cues and signals, and the LenPO is absolutely playing the hell out of Tschaik 5 - in rehearsal!! A work they'd probably played 3000+ times!!