Historical
outline of individual instruments
Brass
Trombone
Early History
- The early history of
the trombone has been long misunderstood. Some thought it was an
entirely new instrument when documented in the Handel Commemoration
of 1784. Other historians from the 19th century thought the trombone
had roots in antiquity, dating to the Old Testament where there
was a reference to “sackbut”, but this was erroneously
translated in the Geneva Bible (1560) to an instrument known during
the 16th century. This error repeated itself in subsequent revised
versions (1611, 1885). More correctly, it has been shown that the
trombone, with its double U-shaped slide, appeared no earlier than
the 15th century, but no one has been able to determine exactly
when or where it developed.
- Some early names for
the trombone include: Trombone (Italy) and Posaune (German-speaking
countries). These terms derive from words meaning “trumpet”.
Other names have a more uncertain origin, but often have two parts
to the name: (1) sac or sacar which has a number of meanings, one
of which is “to draw, pull”; (2) bu which means to thrust
or push. These have combined to form the following terms: saquebote
(French); sacabuche (Spanish); sackbut (English). When a word such
as “sackbut” was used, it usually meant an instrument
with a movable slide.
- The most immediate precursor
of the trombone was probably the “Renaissance slide trumpet”.
It is likely that the trombone spread from Germany to other areas
of Europe.
- By late 16th and early
17th centuries, trombones were grouped into ensembles to produce
a block of sound. It is conjectured that this type of sonority -
from a group of trombones rather than a single instrument - was
the basis for the symbolic association of trombones with death and
the dark underworld.
17th century
- The association between
trombones and the underworld was probably in place by the early
17th century. The exact origin of the association is not known,
but this symbolism seems to have been understood in Italy and London.
- By the end of the 17th
century, trombones appeared less frequently. Written records clearly
show a decline in the use of trombones, and former players transferred
to other instruments.
- A few reasons may explain
why the trombone faded from use temporarily: (1) changing tastes
probably favored homogeneous sonorities, as found in the string
orchestra of the French court; (2) the practice of doubling the
vocal line with cornetts and trombones declined, and since doubling
the line was largely the trombone’s function, the instrument
fell out of use, although the practice continued specifically in
Austria.
18th century
- The trombone survived
in the church and theater in Austria and Germany, but nearly disappeared
completely in England during the 18th century.
- Around 1750, the trombone
was used more frequently again, and appeared in the Handel Commemoration
of 1784.
- By the end of the 18th
century, drawings and other sources suggest that trombone players
used four slide positions (whereas as players today use seven positions).
- By the late 18th century,
trombones increasingly became a part of orchestras. The associations
with the dark underworld or supernatural persisted. This period
marked the beginning of modern trombone usage.
- Mozart used the trombone
only in his operas and sacred works (e.g. a scene in Don Giovanni,
and a solo in “Tuba mirum” in the Requiem).
19th century to
modern day
- By the early 19th century
the trombone became more widespread and popular, and became a regular
member of the symphony orchestra.
- Around 1800, the “tubular
stay” replaced the “flat stay” on the bell section.
This changed how musicians held the instrument, and required several
fingers to curl around the stay. The holding position began to resemble
modern-day practice.
- During the 1820’s,
the first valve trombones were made in Vienna, and valve trombones
reached a peak in popularity soon after the mid-19th century to
the turn of the 20th century.
- From 1800 to 1840,
trombone makers in Germany enlarged the bore and flare of the bell.
This resulted in a more powerful sound. This advancement is usually
attributed to C.F. Sattler, a maker in Leipzig. Wagner adopted this
model during his time at Dresden.
- The later works by
Wagner, Brahms, Bruckner, and R. Strauss used the larger-bore trombones.
- In the United States,
the wide-bore German model was refined further to create the modern
trombone. The American model is now used throughout the world.
- The glissando technique
was introduced on the trombone during the 20th century.
Orchestra-History
Early
History • Classical
period • Romantic
period • 20th
century to present
Repertoire
Classical
period • Romantic period
• 20th century to present
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