History

Part 2

Bach and the Others:

Eighteenth-Century Trumpeter-Hornists

Beyond Leipzig, the practice extended from Weissenfels to Dresden and Vienna, as horn and trumpet gradually diverged into distinct musical identities.

By Edward H. Tarr

Gravestone of the field trumpeter Johann Kauffmann (1585-1634?)

A chance visit near Giebelstadt brings a seventeenth-century field trumpeter back into view, leaving a gravestone—and a musical life still largely unknown.

By Wolfgang G. Haas

Part 1

The 18th Century Trombone

Rumors of its death were premature

By J. Richard Raum

Early trumpet music in Schwerin

Hidden sources revealed: Stephen Glover uncovers early trumpet music in Schwerin—offering new insights into wind bands, performance practice, and the evolution of brass.

By Stephen L. Glover

Part 1

A short history of the tuba in Russia

By Alexeï Levachkine

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.

By Thomas Aitken

Special Hungary

Brass Chamber Music in Hungary

Ancient horns, military signals and postwar ensembles meet in a Hungarian brass tradition shaped as much by education and composers as by performers.

By Frigyes Varasdy

The horn in the G.R.D, A chat with Peter Damm

Special GDR

By Peter Damm

Part 4

Herbert L. Clarke (1867-1945)

His Career

From struggle to legend: Part 4 traces Herbert L. Clarke’s rise from hardship to global fame—touring, recording, teaching, and shaping modern cornet playing.

By David Hickman

On the French School of horn playing

By Lucien Thevet

The rich tradition of brass playing in Austria

Special Austria

By Wolfgang Suppan

The brass septet tradition in Finland

A hidden tradition revealed: over 200 Finnish brass septets shaped regional music life—blending military roots, festivals, and composers like Sibelius into a living legacy.

By Kauko Karjalainen

Part 1

On the trail of the medieval slide trumpet

By David M. Guion

Part 2

Mozart and brass musicians

By Eugen Brixel

Part 3

Thomas Gschladt

An Historical Perspective of an 18th Century Trombonist

By J. Richard Raum

Royal College of Music London

Tradition and evolution of the brass classes

By Jean-Pierre Mathez

Keyed and valved bugles, cornets and trumpets in french grand opera

By William E. Runyan

Trumpeters and night wachtmen of old Zürich

By Walter Baumann

Maurice Ravel and the new trombone

Dance-band trombonists reshaped orchestral expectations in the 1920s and 30s, leaving their mark on Ravel’s Boléro and a generation of players.

By Michel Laplace

Part 3

Herbert L. Clarke (1867-1945)

Early professional years

From struggle to breakthrough: Herbert L. Clarke’s rise reveals relentless practice, early setbacks, and the defining audition that launched one of history’s greatest cornet careers.

By David Hickman

Gabinetto Armonico by Filippo Bonanni, Rome 1723

22 Illustrations

Selection of illustrations and excerpts from Gabinetto Armonico (1723), offering a visual insight into early instruments and musical practice.

By Filippo Bonanni

Edinburgh University Collection of Historical Musical Instruments

By Arnold Myers, Raymond Park

Part 3

Jean-Baptiste Arban (1825-1889) Biography

The Success

At the height of his fame, Arban fights to reshape musical education—and to save the trumpet from disappearing.

By Jean-Pierre Mathez

Adolf Scherbaum (1909-2000) - Trailblazer of the classical solo trumpet

By Verena Jakobsen