Happy Halloween!
October 31, 2009 by wkimball · Leave a Comment
I don’t have any trombone history entries or images on Halloween, per se, but this depiction of a carnival procession from 1589 includes a trombone and involves some fairly elaborate costumes. The image, by artist Nicolas von Riedt, is titled Fastnachtszug and originates from Basel, Switzerland (Salmen, Musikleben im 16 80-81).
Trombone History: Trombone with 16th Century Wind Band
September 29, 2009 by wkimball · Leave a Comment
Added color version of Pinturicchio’s fresco (see below) to the 16th Century Trombone History Timeline. The painting provides one of the earliest examples of trombone iconography showing the instrument in a wind band setting (called pifferi in Italy). The color version of the fresco shows the vibrancy of the painting, as well as revealing the three instruments in a little better detail than in the more common black and white reproductions.
c. 1503—Siena, Italy: Bernardino Pinturicchio includes a depiction of a trombonist in his painting, Coronation of Pius III, a fresco decorating the exterior of the Piccolomini Library in the cathedral of Siena. The trombonist is part of a trio of wind players seen performing at center-right (see facing detail and full image, below; public domain) (Jenkens 159; Cecchi 19). Documents have shown that trombone did, indeed, perform at this particular coronation (see below).