Richard Oliver

I maybe the last member of Trumpet Master to discover the NY Phil's Young People's Concerts with Leonard Bernstein.

But for those of you who may not have seen them, here's what it was like for me, and my pitch to take some time to view them.

Last week I had some time on my hands due to an injury at work. I went to the library and discovered the DVD's are part of their collection. So I checked them out and began watching.

Broadcast from 1958 to about 1970'ish by CBS, I got to see Leonard Bernstein give great talks about great music and music making with the NY Phil to demonstrate the points he was making. Was just wonderful. I got to listen to and see William Vacchiano and the other members of the trumpet section (I'm sorry I don't know their names) play so much fantastic music.

I learned more about music last week, and in such an enjoyable manner, that if there be any who have not viewed the concerts, see if your library has them. It's great and interesting viewing for the whole family too.

Also, if you like "live" TV, you'll love 'em also.

Happy Viewing and Listening,

Richard

Manny Laureano

I'm happy you've found them and I'll tell you that he is so instructive, so energetic that it's no surprise you're as delighted as you seem to be. Bernstein was a superb communicator about that which he loved, music, but he was also a true Renaissance Man. There seemed to be no subject he wasn't at home in.

Enjoy the tapes!

ML

Richard Oliver

Manny, as I was watching, I tried to take special note of Mr. Vacchiano due in large part to what you had written about him here at TM.

I don't want this to sound impertinent at all. But hearing you talk about him, and discovering his wide influence, and then getting a chance to watch him perform, well, even if I am an outsider, it makes one aware that they are watching something and someone truly special.

It's like when you know that you aren't part of history yourself, but you get to see snippets of it from the past or even the present as it unfolds.

All the Best,

Richard

Derek Reaban

Richard,

Great DVDs! I purchased them last year and have really enjoyed watching them.

If you like these, I think you would also really enjoy The Unanswered Question - Harvard Lectures. See if your library has them. They are great!

Alex Yates

I am with you Derek. I have the same DVD sets and they are jewels. You would enjoy them Richard. (if your library does not have The Unanswered Question, I would be happy to loan you my set for the summer.)

Richard Oliver

Derek, thanks for the recommendation. All of your "check this one out" that you've passed my way have been spot on.

Oh WOW Alex! You are too kind.

I saw the DVD advertised on Amazon and read some of the reviews. So my appetite had already been whetted.

Let me check with the library, and I'll let you know if they do not have them or cannot be obtained via inter-library loan.

I just read a short biography of Bernstein . . . mostly pictures and the highlights of his career up to about 1967 when the book was published.

He's really of "my generation" in a sense. I was born in 1957, and West Side Story premiered that year, and he assumed the post of Music Director of the NY Phil the next year I think.

The things that construe our life and times, eh?

Richard

wiseone2

The trumpet section-
William Vacchiano
Nathan Prager
John Ware
James Smith

Wilmer

Richard Oliver

Wilmer, I need to rewatch the series again, so I can attach the names to the faces. Mr. Vacchiano I recognized.

Mr. Ware, I thought I had pegged, but then I couldn't pick him out through all the DVD's.

The other names are new to me, which over time I hope to get to know. It was something to see the the same faces, such as Mr. Vacchiano, the principal cellist, and, the oboist, though I don't know their names.

Thanks for naming the trumpet section.

Richard