FINAL MAG

BONE THOUGHTS FROM ABROAD CONTINUED...
At least that is what Pilsbury told me
he was yelling; I have no Hungarian
and was never sure of the extent of
my old friend’s grasp of the language.
And Meggyesfalvi was only man I ever
knew to beat Ernest Pilsbury at poker.
There has been a certain amount
of carping lately about the limited
repertoire performed by trombonists
but I feel this to be misplaced.
What, I wonder, is the logic in ensuring
that everyone plays in exactly the same
way and then disturbing the purity of the
exercise by playing all sorts of different
music? Nevertheless I do wonder
why more is not heard of the work
of Giovanna Strozzapreti, a Futurist
composer, installation artist and
commis-chef at the Casa Forfora in
Palermo (the restaurant started by the
legendary Giuseppe Forfora with profits
from a termite-proof slide cream that he
invented for Italian military bandsmen
during the Abyssinia campaign).
Her handful of trombone compositions
had enigmatic titles: there was a piece
for alto called Dovè il mio Spazzolone?
and a seven-hour concerto with dancers
for G trombone, Il Mio Diletto è un
Grosso Grasso Ubriaco. The latter piece
had parts for half a dozen Lambrettas
revving their tiny engines and at one
point required all the church bells in the
town where it was performed to be rung.
It was composed for Ernest Pilsbury,
who at first was unenthusiastic, but after
a couple of days’ rehearsal it became
apparent that he was rather smitten with
the composer. They would sit up late
drinking a vile yellow liqueur called
Scoreggi or some such name, arguing
the finer points of Art and, if I know
Pilsbury, of card-sharping and bicycle
thieving as well.
I and the other members of the British
Empire Trombone Quartet were torn
between celebrating the civilising
influence of a woman on our criminal
companion and anxiety because
la Strozzapreti was self-evidently
deranged. She was never without a
cigar, which she never lit and would
often eat in moments of vexation,
was a stranger to soap and water and
was fond of practical jokes involving
spaghetti. She confided to me that she
was attracted to Pilsbury because of his
his idiosyncratic slide technique - which
involved keeping the slide stationary
while moving the instrument and his
entire body back and forth (he had to
sit on a three legged stool to play).
He, for his part, was besotted with her
and I must admit his playing acquired
new dimensions: he was renowned for
being one of the few trombonists who
could blare in pianissimo and this faculty
originated during his time with Giovanna.
Strozzapreti eloped with Pilsbury in
September 1953; three performances
at the Teatro Communale di Bologna
had to be cancelled in consequence
but he was back in harness for the
fourth concert. La Strozzapreti had, it
transpired, locked herself in her studio
and was working all the hours of the day
and night on her now-lost masterpiece,
Non me ne Frega un Cavolo, made from
dozens of G trombones welded together
in a curiously suggestive pattern.
Pilsbury’s playing was little impaired by
the loss of three teeth and a broken nose.
When I asked him what had happened to
his marriage he retorted “all the romance
went out of it” and that was as much
information as we were able to extract
from him. Dear old Pilsbury: he was a
great artist and a great romantic, even if
his slide action was a little too languid
to pass muster in Ponca City, Oklahoma.
THE HALLÉ YOUTH ORCHESTRA IS NOW RECRUITING FOR 2017-18!
ABOUT US
The Hallé Youth Orchestra, established in 2002, offers
talented young instrumentalists aged 13-19 years the chance to
experience playing in a full symphony orchestra supported by
professional musicians.
With weekly rehearsals on Sundays, 12-3pm, in central
Manchester, the Youth Orchestra provides its members with
experiences like no other. Highlights include performing
throughout the year at the Bridgewater Hall, working at
the highest level with professional musicians, performing
alongside the Hallé Orchestra, performing across the UK and
Europe on residential courses and tours and meeting likeminded
young people who share a passion for music and
performing.
JOIN US
The Hallé Youth Orchestra is looking for outstanding young
musicians aged 13 to 19 years, and of grade 6 and above
standard, who love orchestral music and the excitement of
contributing to a large orchestra. Full members take part in
rehearsals and concerts during term-time and in other activities
including residential courses and tours. Members are expected
to commit to weekly Sunday rehearsals during the autumn and
spring terms. There are no activities during the study leave
period of May and June although members are also expected
to attend a residential course and/or tour during the summer
holidays of 2018.
Membership is free, however all members are invited to make
a voluntary donation towards the Hallé as a contribution
towards the core costs of maintaining the orchestra. Members
are also expected to contribute towards the cost of residential
courses and tours where appropriate. Limited bursaries are
available through an application process to help cover the
costs of residential courses, tours and travel to rehearsals and
concerts.
HOW TO APPLY
The application form can be found on the Hallé website: www.
halle.co.uk/youth-ensembles-recruitment/ and the deadline
for applications is Friday 5th May 2017 with auditions being
held in central Manchester across late June and July. More
information on what to expect in the auditions will be provided
after the application deadline.
FIND OUT MORE
To see the Youth Orchestra in action, why not come along to
the annual Hallé Youth Ensembles Concert where they will
be performing Dvorak’s The Water Goblin and Respighi’s
Fountains of Rome. For more information on how to book
tickets, visit the Hallé website: www.halle.co.uk/whats-on/
youth-ensembles-concert-2017/.
We hope the following video will also provide a good
introduction and insight into the Youth Orchestra: www.
youtube.com/watch?v=zx2Y_6dB4VM&t=1s.
For all Hallé Youth Orchestra enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact Isabelle Orford on isabelle.orford@halle.co.uk or 0161 907 9056
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