Posted by Sean Chisham on July 06, 2003 at 09:08:05:
In Reply to: Arnold Jacobs: the greatest?? posted by Graham W. on July 05, 2003 at 23:50:59:
Arnold Jacobs isn't really known as a soloist although he could carry a tune with the best of them. His accomplishments are in his orchestral and teaching career. He revolutionised many of the approaches we make in terms of physically playing the instrument. He did much of this through simplistic methods which are easily put into real world use by anyone. His musical approach to implementing these changes to someone having chronic playing difficulties saved many careers. He was truly a genius, almost a magician in lessons.
His orchestral playing was a testiment to his research on air usage and musical approach. His lung capacity was nowhere near the 5-6 liters that many of us enjoy, especially later in his career. He was still able to create one of the most beautiful orchestral sounds ever.
Arnold Jacobs made the largest impact on brass playing in the 20th century and even into the 21st century through several of his students to continue his legacy through teaching and to some extent playing.