I have told this story on TPIN before, but think its worth repeating here...
In the mid 80s I was on the road in Europe with an opera company. I had a night off and was in Brussels. I heard that CSO was in Amsterdam. A college friend of mine, Rex Martin, was playing tuba with them on this tour because Mr. Jacobs wasn't healthy enough to do tours. He is now tuba prof at Northwestern. We were in college together, so I decided to surprise him and show up at his hotel.
I found him in the restaurant and just sat down at his table.. it was hilarious.. he had no idea I was even in Europe. After awhile Will Scarlet, George Vosberg and Bud ended up at that table. That was a hoot.
After lunch Rex said he wanted to go over the Concertgebouw to practice because he'd never played there.. so I went with him. I was sitting in the hall and Rex was on stage playing.. we were the only two there.
After about 15 minutes a door opened and there's Bud with his horn and he goes and sits in his seat. So, its me in the audience by myself and Rex in his chair sitting silently and Bud there to practice.
So, he picks up his horn and plays the Charlier #2.. straight down. They were the first notes of the day for him. It was stunning... a special moment for me that I will never forget. The finest orchestral trumpet player in the world in one of the finest concert halls in the world playing for just me.
It was an AMAZING sound that is forever burned into my brain. He finishes the etude, stands ups says: "That works" and left.
I don't even remember what they played that night.. i think it was all Richard Strauss, but I'll never forget that Charlier. WOW.
MA