Trombone Festival in Moscow

In December 2009 I was invited as interntaional guest artist to perform and teach at the very first Russian trombone festival In Moscow.

I travelled to Moscow with tremendous respect and admiration for the great Russian music tradition not knowing at all what was expecting me there.

I met a lot of fantastic musicians and very warm hearted people from all over the country. Trombonists from all over Russia came to this event even from places far away like Novosibirsk!

Later in the day I gave a little recital. After listening to so much technical brilliance on the trombone I was glad that I choose a mainly lyrical program. Something very different in Russia.

Together happy with Polina Grigoryeva after our recital.

After the recital I did a little master class. The Russian trombonists and professors in the hall welcomed me with skeptical faces wondering what I was going to do. I think they somehow expected me to listen to the students solo pieces and tell them how it should be. I was sure the Russian trombonists have a very good idea how to play solo pieces, so I decided to talk about breathing and the "Song and Wind" idea of playing.

After some general ideas about the basics of "wind and song" brass playing and some breathing exercises the faces started to lighten up and the students seemed to enjoy the ideas I was talking about.

In the master classes technique and musical ideas never seemed to be a problem for the Russian trombone students.

We worked mostly on  how to play more relaxed, with less effort, less muscle and more air.

Working on Albrechtsberger Alto tombone concerto.

With my dear friend, great trumpet player and agent for Russia Evgeny Yatsuk.

Don Lucas, president of the ITA ( International Trombone Association) came all the way from Boston, USA to join the festival. I was very happy to meet him after my recital.

At the end of the festival, of course all the performers enjoyed a glass of vodka together!!!

Together with the trombone section from Jekaterinenburg.

With my dear friend Yuri Ivanov, principal trombonist form Jekaterinenburg.

After the festival the Thein representative for Russia, "Avalon Music" took us to an amazing Armenian restaurant.

Max Thein with Evgeny Yatsuk waiting for food after a long day.

The "Thein -Russia" family Vashenkow (Father, daughter and grand daughter)

Always having a great time with my dear friend Max Thein, here at the end of our Russia adventure.