Rising Stars
Summer 2013 The Trombonist
Karol Gajda Name: Karol Gajda Age: 21 Location: Originally from Poland but now living in Hannover, Germany How did you start playing? I started to play trombone because of my brother (a tuba player). He encouraged me to become a brass player. Then, after few years, I passed an audition to Musical High School in Bielsko-Biala, Poland, and I started to study with Professor Zdzislaw Stolarczyk and he had a key influence on me as a trombone player. I have played in numerous orchestras and ensembles in Poland and Germany and have given recitals, including at the International Trombone Festival in Paris in 2012. What do you do when you’re not playing? Of course, music is my main hobby, but I like travelling, good food, good movies and books. What are your ambitions? My ambition in musical life is to have good orchestral job, improve my solo career and make people happy with my playing. Who are your main influences? Christian Lindberg, Joseph Alessi, Jörgen van Rijen, James Markey, Carsten Svanberg and Ben van Dijk. Interview by Ian Bousfield
Peter Moore The Trombonist caught up with young trombonist Pete Moore, to find out more about his playing and ambitions. Name: Peter Moore Age: 18 Location: Stalybridge, Manchester Instruments: Trombone, piano and the occasional bit of euphonium! How did you start playing? I started playing the trombone at the age of 6 or 7. Growing up in the brass band scene, the trombone always appealed as it was the instrument that seemed like the most fun! Teachers: Phil Goodwin and Ian Bousfield. Favourite pieces: I’m a jazz fan in addition to classical music. I like big romantic works by Mahler and Tchaikovsky. I always enjoy playing solo pieces from the romantic era, as well as early music on sackbutt. It’s great when I get the chance to play alto trombone too. I think, as trombone players, we aren’t spoilt with a huge amount of good repertoire from romantic period and before, so we have to explore modern contemporary works, some of which are great! Ambitions: It would be great to sit in a top orchestra, as it would be to do solo work too. But, obviously anything that comes along would be great. You can’t afford to pick and choose! I’m also a keen pianist and would like to carry on with that. Playing history: I’ve been lucky enough to give recitals and concertos across the UK and abroad in places such as Poland and Germany. I have also given recitals in venues such as Wigmore Hall, Bridgewater Hall and St. George’s Bristol. I was also fortunate to be asked to record Gregson’s trombone concerto with the BBC Concert Orchestra. It has been particularly been brilliant to make it over to Australia and New Zealand for tours and also good to have had some orchestral experience. Current activities: Trying to discover new trombone repertoire, or repertoire which would work well for the instrument. I am about to set off to Australia again, which will be exciting (very hot too!). I also play with chamber groups, a trombone quartet, a brass ten-piece and am hoping to play with a string quartet accompaniment soon. And finally, I play lots of sport! Favourite players: We have some amazing trombone players, who are so different in musical styles. The likes of Ian Bousfield, Joe Alessi, Christian Lindberg, Jorgen van Rijen spring to mind, amongst others. What’s great is that they play in such different ways, but are all brilliant. Aside from trombonists - Horowitz, Richter for the piano, Rostropovich... Favourite recordings: No favourites; I try to listen to as much as possible! What’s next? Almost finished at school so starting to think about music colleges etc. Engagements in the near future include Turnage’s Yet Another Set To with National Orchestra of Wales and the Grand Final of Royal Overseas League Competition and some recitals.
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