Thomas Aitken
8 Articles by Thomas Aitken
Brass Bulletin 42 - 2 / 1983
Aitken, Thomas
The Brass Sections of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
An international brass section takes shape in post-war New Zealand, where orchestral careers mingle with touring bands, immigration and some remarkably unconventional detours.
pp. 32–35
Brass Bulletin No 42 · 1983
Report· Encounters· Orchestral playing
Brass Bulletin 43 - 3 / 1983
Aitken, Thomas
At the Sign of the Serpent
All sorts of old, rare and unusual musical instruments bought and sold by Tony Bingham
Behind a Hampstead shopfront, Tony Bingham’s trade in ophicleides, natural horns and cornets kept rare instruments circulating between collectors and players.
pp. 26–32
Brass Bulletin No 43 · 1983
History· Equipment· Historical instruments
Brass Bulletin 45 - 1 / 1984
Aitken, Thomas
A major chamber music work for brass?
Quintet, by Peter Maxwell Davies
A BBC studio session turns Maxwell Davies’s brass quintet into a test of virtuosity, balance and whether brass could claim a new place in chamber music.
pp. 62–65
Brass Bulletin No 45 · 1984
Repertoire· Backstage· Contemporary Music· Brass Ensemble
Brass Bulletin 46 - 2 / 1984
Aitken, Thomas
Melvyn Poore
Tuba britannica
A tuba becomes a laboratory for circular breathing, reeds, strange mutes and music theatre as Melvyn Poore pushes beyond the orchestral role assigned to it.
pp. 16–22
Brass Bulletin No 46 · 1984
Tuba· Encounters· Contemporary Music· Solo playing
Brass Bulletin 47 - 3 / 1984
Aitken, Thomas
John Fletcher
Is Big Always Beautiful?
As brass instruments grew larger and louder, John Fletcher saw something being lost: the individual voice, clarity and character that make a player heard.
pp. 19–24
Brass Bulletin No 47 · 1984
Tuba· Encounters· Sound· Interpretation
Brass Bulletin 49 - 1 / 1985
Aitken, Thomas
Ernest Hall, OBE (1890-1984)
A principal trumpet, influential teacher and formidable musician remembered through the voices of pupils who experienced Ernest Hall’s uncompromising standards.
pp. 87–89
Brass Bulletin No 49 · 1985
Trumpet· Encounters
Brass Bulletin 51 - 3 / 1985
Aitken, Thomas
What's your proper job?
A social portrait of the British brass player
Four British brass players confront a profession transformed by orchestras, freelance work, social prejudice and the shrinking certainties of musical life.
pp. 14–24
Brass Bulletin No 51 · 1985
Society· Professional life· Sociology· Freelance
Brass Bulletin 54 - 2 / 1986
Aitken, Thomas
British brass players training
In 1980s Britain, brass bands, state schools and conservatoires offered different paths into music, while rising standards collided with shrinking budgets and uncertain careers.
pp. 48–59
Brass Bulletin No 54 · 1986
Teaching· Professional life· Auditions