WILL KIMBALL» Moravian

Moravian Trombone Ensembles

wkimball — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:04:41 +0000

Just finished adding numerous entries on the Moravian use of trombones from Stewart Carter’s excellent “Trombone Ensembles of the Moravian Brethren in America” (in Brass Scholarship in Review, 1999). The entries can be found in the 18th century, 19th century (1st half), 19th century (2nd half), and 20th century. I always enjoy Stewart Carter’s writing: meticulously detailed research, extensive documentation, no self-aggrandizing, no personal ax to grind. Great, reliable stuff.

Detail from A.R. Waud, Moravians at Bethlehem

Trombone History: More Moravians

wkimball — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 04:41:18 +0000

Added a pair of images to the 19th century (2nd half) featuring the Moravian trombone choir of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. For more updates on the Moravian trombones, see here.

1888—Bethlehem, Pennsylvania: An engraving published in Harper’s Weekly features the Bethlehem Moravian trombone choir playing by torchlight for arrivals at the Easter Dawn service (see above image; public domain) (Harper’s, March 31, 1888).

1896—Bethlehem, Pennsylvania: A painting by Alice Barber Stephens depicts the Bethlehem Moravian trombone choir at an Easter Dawn service. A bass trombone with extension handle is clearly shown in the front row. The tower of the Central Moravian Church, from which the trombone choir frequently performs, can be seen in the background (see above image; public domain) (Sweitzer 8).

Bones in the Belfry

wkimball — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 06:37:50 +0000

Added a new trombone image by John Wolcott Adams to the 20th century timeline. It bears a strong resemblance to another print, also shown below, of trombonists playing from a belfry. The 1903 image is a depiction of Moravian trombonists; the Adams is very likely a depiction of a Moravian trombone ensemble as well.

c. 1915—United States: American illustrator John Wolcott Adams (1874-1925) depicts a trombone ensemble playing from a belfry in The Trombone Players Climb the Steep Belfry Stairs to Blow Stately Chords (see below image; public domain). For a similar image, see 1903; for additional images of 20th century tower-trombonists, see 1904, 1906.

Adams, Trombone Players

1903—Bethlehem, Pennsylvania: Harper’s Weekly publishes an engraving depicting a trombone ensemble performing from a church tower at the beginning of the city’s famous Bach festival. The caption reads, “The Trombone Choir: Announcing the beginning of the performances from the belfry” (see below image; public domain) (Harper’s Weekly, 1903, Issue 5/16, p. 800).

"The Trombone Choir"

Bethlehem Moravians in Trombone History

wkimball — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 20:28:08 +0000

The influence of the Moravians on the history of the trombone has been widely documented. For entries in the timeline, for example, see 1754, 1760, 1763, 1765, 1767, 1768, 1770, 1771, 1781, 1783, 1822, 1874, 1903, and 1944. More entries will undoubtedly be forthcoming as I continue to add to the timeline. I recently added two new images related to the Moravian trombone tradition in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to the timeline. Both are from the periodical Harper’s Weekly. The first shows Moravian trombonists taking part in funeral services, while the second shows a group of trombonists playing from a belfry, announcing the beginning of a music festival. I’ve also included, below those, a set of photographs of Moravian trombonists from Bethlehem, PA, that I posted in the 20th Century timeline and an earlier blog entry.

Detail from A.R. Waud, Moravians at Bethlehem

1874—Bethlehem, Pennsylvania: The Moravians at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, an engraving by Alfred Waud published in Harper’s Weekly, depicts trombone ensembles performing from a church tower (“Funeral Notes”) and at a graveside service (“Burial Service”) (see above detail; public domain) (Harper’s Weekly, 1874, Issue 4/18, p. 346).

"The Trombone Choir"

1903—Bethlehem, Pennsylvania: Harper’s Weekly publishes an engraving depicting a trombone ensemble performing from a church tower at the beginning of the city’s famous Bach festival. The caption reads, “The Trombone Choir: Announcing the beginning of the performances from the belfry” (see above image; public domain) (Harper’s Weekly, 1903, Issue 5/16, p. 800).

Taken by Howard R. Hollem, the above 3 photographs date from 1944 and bear the title “The Moravian trombone choir which plays chorales before the opening of each performance of the Bach choir.” They belong to the American Memory collection of the Library of Congress.

Happy New Year!

wkimball — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 15:50:08 +0000

Happy New Year! Below is a great little image reflecting the Stadpfiefer/Moravian tradition of trombonists playing from towers, an important part of the history of the trombone. For more information about the image, see the 20th Century Timeline.

Trombone History: Moravian Trombone Choir

wkimball — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 01:57:35 +0000

Added 3 images from 1944 to the Trombone History Timeline (20th century). Three photographs, which show soprano, alto, and tenor trombones, document a Moravian trombone choir performance in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Taken by Howard R. Hollem, they bear the title “The Moravian trombone choir which plays chorales before the opening of each performance of the Bach choir,” and belong to the American Memory collection of the Library of Congress. Numerous other timeline entries, dating back to the 18th century, detail the extensive Moravian trombone choir tradition in trombone history.