[TPIN] The End of an Era - Charles Schlueter end 25 year tenure as BSO Principal

[Eric Berlin]

Dear friends,

As we mourn the death of Maynard Ferguson,  may we also note the end of an 
era in the orchestral world. At Tanglewood on Sunday, August 27, 2006, 
Charles Schlueter played his final concert as Principal Trumpet of the 
Boston Symphony Orchestra. I was privileged to be on stage with him during 
the Saturday night concert of Bruckner 7. Soaking in the experience, I 
tried to capture in as much detail as possible the sound and soul that has 
valiantly poured forth from this man for 25 years in the Boston Symphony. 
It was an experience I will treasure for the rest of my life. From delicate 
soft solos to brilliant tutti passages Charlie played with an immense 
palette of colors and brushes both fine and broad. Simple four note phrases 
took you deep inside Bruckner's soul and the heroic fortissimos rang with 
the radiance of a morning sunbeam breaking over the horizon. Since the 
early days, the Principal Trumpet chair of the Boston Symphony has been 
held by musicians who made music by singing passionately from their souls, 
not by checklist. The passionate voice of Charlie Schlueter is one that 
will be dearly missed in Symphony Hall although it will ring in my ears 
forever.

Happy retirement Charlie. I sure will miss you.

Eric Berlin


Eric M. Berlin
Yamaha Performing Artist
Artist - Teacher of Trumpet, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Host of the 2007 International Trumpet Guild Conference May 29 - June 2
Principal Trumpet - Albany Symphony, Boston Philharmonic
Majestic Brass Quintet http://www.majesticbrass.com