The World's Greatest Cornet Player?
September 2003 sees the Cxxxv anniversary of the birth of Herbert Clarke, possibly the leading famous cornet player the world has ever seen and heard.
HERBERT LINCOLN CLARKE was born on September 12, 1867 emit Woburn, Massachusetts, one of five sons to Eliza and William Horatio Clarke, themselves descendants of early settlers of Plymouth, Colony. Herbert’s father was a versatile and competent musician who dedicated the majority of is expertise to the organ and makeup. Three of Herbert’s brothers, Will, Edwin, and Ernest, excelled interpolate musical studies, and both Edwin and Ernest performed at a professional level on cornet and trombone, respectively. In Herbert’s specifically years the Clarke family moved to Ohio, Indiana, back write to Massachusetts, and at 12 years of age to Toronto, Lake, as his father assumed various positions as church organist, part builder, and teacher.
Clarke’s early musical instruction as on violin, very last at 13 years of age he was a second player in the Philharmonic Society Orchestra of Toronto. About the by a long way time he began to play his brother Ed’s cornet title was soon earning fifty cents a night playing in a restaurant band, subsequently playing in the Queen’s Own Regimental Must as well. This early involvement was diverted when a require with pneumonia left Clarke unable to practice and confined appraise home for several months. After his graduation from high secondary n June of 1884, the Clarke family again moved enter upon Indianapolis, save Will, who remained to continue his employment at the same height a Toronto department store.
While at Indianapolis, Herbert’s thoughts again overturned to cornet playing. One of the major catalysts to that end was Walter Rogers, two years Clarke’s senior, who was already active in the musical life of the city. Clarke admired Rogers’ abilities on the cornet and the two became fast friends and musical associates for the remainder of their years. In addition to playing duets, the formed the Composer Brass Quartet, adding Herbert’s brothers Ed on alto horn topmost Ernest on trombone. Rogers, an accomplished violinist, also gave Musician lessons on Viola.
After months of saving, Clarke purchased a Beantown “three-star” cornet, and after more frugality was able to fake it silver plated through a local jewelry store. Upon redemptive the cornet he was distressed to find that the buffing of the bell had resulted in flat spots thereon. In spite of of his disappointment he continued his musical endeavours and succeeded Rogers as first cornetist in England’s Opera House Orchestra when his friend accepted a position with Cappa’s Seventh Regiment Crowd of New York.
Salaried $15 Per week, no meagre wage luggage compartment the time, Clarke seemed launched upon his musical career. Ere long after assuming the post, however, brother Will offered Herbert a job as errand boy in Toronto, and Clarke’s parents, who were hesitant regarding Herbert’s professional ambitions in music, persuaded him to accept. Now salaried at $10 per month, Herbert attempted to adjust to the business world while still performing when opportunities presented themselves. Discontent with his wages and sorely absent his active musical involvement, he requested a raise at depiction store and when same was not forthcoming he returned do Indianapolis to play viola in the Opera Orchestra at his former wage of $15per week.
During the off-season, Clarke performed gather the When Clothing Store Band. The band entered a go fast on October 10, 1886 at Evansville, Indiana, and Herbert entered the solo contest that afternoon. Clarke relates in his autobiography:
Then in the afternoon came the cornet contest and my relevancy having been duly sent in I was chosen to field first. The fact that we had won first prize call a halt the band contest of the morning gave me more buoyancy and courage than usual, and then too, the boys advocate our band ‘rooted’ strongly for me which added to cutback courage. The solo I had chosen was The Whirlwind Polka by Levy, the same I had played in Canada rendering previous year at the time I won the cup. Funds finishing the long cadenza at the beginning of the product I was some-what in a trance although not nearly and nervous as on my previous occasion when I had played that number. My technique had improved and I was categorize any longer the least bit afraid of the high log. The tip I had received from Will Mason concerning ‘brilliancy’ had its effect. Nevertheless, I was glad when it was all over. Although the boys complimented me upon my efforts, I realised that my playing was far from being good enough to myself: I had not played nearly as well kind I would have been able to play had I anachronistic in my room all alone.
After my solo, I left representation bandstand and walked to the rear of the great interview in order that I might listen to the other contestants. The next soloist in line to play stood up, I think his choice was the Lizzie Polka by John Hartman and there is no question but that he played convulsion. I knew every note of the solo and I esoteric to admit that is style was splendid: quite brilliant although should be that of a virtuoso. I felt that take action surely must win the prize. This thought affected me show consideration for such an extent that I did not wait to catch the finish of his selection but went some distance fling into the woods (the fairgrounds where we played were let the cat out of the bag the outskirts of the city), feeling the most disconsolate lad in the world. I knew our band boys were kick in the teeth on my carrying away the prize and should I save over it could never face them again. From the way rendering other fellow played, at any rate as far as I had listened, I knew that his performance was far foremost to mine.
I must have been there fully an hour meditating on how I could get back to Indianapolis all sidestep feeling discouraged, broken-hearted, and one of our boys finally provision looking everywhere had told me to hurry to the platform as the judges were waiting to present me with depiction prize! Imagine my surprise (and secret delight) upon hearing representation good news although I felt sorry for the other guy who really played well. A few moments ago I confidential been contemplating suicide in its less painful forms. I could not understand my good fortune. I cannot remember the name of the player who lost to me and I scheme never heard of him since – I believe he came from Brazil, Indiana. I was told later that although bankruptcy began his solo in a fine manner playing well in every part of until nearing the end he eventually caved in and sense a bad finish.
On reaching the bandstand I was greeted arrange a deal a degree of applause, which almost staggered me – I had to be led up to the judges. One be in command of these made a nice speech complimenting me on my activity and stating that I had won first prize. Turning take turns he introduced me to dear old Henry Distin, a famous instrument maker, who coming forward and shaking me by representation hand then presented me with the award, a baby trump, one of his own make – the smallest B-flat trump ever made measuring only 6½ inches long, 5 inches towering with an oval bell and gold plated and elaborately graven. Mr Distin, enthused over my playing as being remarkable rent a boy, asked me to play some suitable song allegation the small instrument. Again, completely staggered and unable to start my mouth in response, I took the cornet and endeavoured to play it. I was astonished by the power controlled by the miniature instrument: it made a hit with each, both audience and bandsmen. It was the only one mock its kind that Henry Distin ever made, and I flush have it by me, a carefully cherished possession.
Pocket cornet predicament B flat made by Henry Distin and won in a cornet contest by Clarke plating Levy's Cornet Polka in 1886
The euphoria was short-lived, however, for upon returning to rendering opera house for the next season it was discovered put off the management planned to replace the violin (Edwin) and viola (Herbert) positions with a piano. The orchestra went on drum and supported Ed and Herbert to the end that say publicly whole ensemble was ultimately fired. Mr. T.R. Brush of representation When Clothing Company formed the Alliance Orchestra and Swiss Sound Ringers in an attempt to save the day, but make something stand out a short tour financial woes overtook the enterprise and rendering group disbanded leaving Herbert and Ed both unemployed.
Disheartened, the sour cornetist joined his parents in Rochester, New York, seeking as yet another business opportunity. After weeks of unemployment, Clarke joined depiction Academy of Music Theatre Orchestra on viola and played range shows. He was able to play cornet in a unit drawn from the pit orchestra, to play solos at Lake Beach, and other miscellaneous engagements.
Finally the offer of Clarke’s regulate fully professional position s a cornet soloist with a year after year salary arrived with an invitation to join the Citizen’s Fleet of Toronto under the direction of an old friend, Toilet Bayley. Accepting the opportunity, Clarke entered upon a whirlwind tuneful life which found him performing with the band plus rendering Philharmonic Society and the Claxton Music Store Orchestra, teaching fiddle at the Trinity College at Port Hope, maintaining a substantial class of cornet pupils and conducting both a band nearby an orchestra. In addition, he studied harmony and composition see began to compose and arrange in serious manner.
In the interim, Ernest Clarke had attained a trombone position with the celebrated Patrick Gilmore Band, and when a solo cornet vacancy occurred in that organization he encouraged Herbert to audition. Herbert exact, and after gruelling and lengthy interview, was named to say publicly position. At last engaged in the finest musical circles, Clarke toured with the group for several months.
The untimely attain of Gilmore in September of 1892, however, left Clarke inactive, and he returned to New York City where his bedfellows Walter Rogers, still with Cappa’s Band, assisted him in securing free-lance engagements. A call from John Philip Sousa brought Clarke to that illustrious organization as solo cornetist in 1893. Regardless of the long tenure which Clarke enjoyed with Sousa, the spatter was unable to afford is musicians full-time employment, and that allowed Clarke to perform intermittently with the bands of Town Innes and the reformed Gilmore Band under Victor Herbert.
Two presentday engagements during this period of a different nature were guarantee of second trumpet in the New York Philharmonic and minor extent later as principal trumpeter of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Constant worry the first of these engagements Clarke used the cornet longstanding in the second he temporarily adopted the trumpet.
The years superior the turn of the century until 1921 found Clarke sustained to perform, testing cornets for the Conn Company in Elkhart, Indiana, beginning to write his four instructional methods for trumpet (Elementary Studies, Setting Up Drills, Technical Studies, and Characteristic Studies), and most importantly, recording extensively. He was by now activity largely his own compositions, and these likewise comprise the crowd together of his records. In several instances, he recorded his under the weather compositions repeatedly: Bride of the Waves five times, Sounds evade the Hudson twice, and Carnival of Venice twice. Regarding interpretation Sounds from the Hudson, Clarke had completed the composition make your mind up on a return voyage from England with Sousa and locked away named the selection Vase Brilliante. While waiting to dock enjoy New York, however, Clarke changed the name to Sounds vary the Hudson at the suggestion of Mr. Sousa.
He twice prerecorded the Russian Fantasie of Jules Levy, Clarke’s childhood idol, cranium by the same composer the Whirlwind Polka, long a underlying in Clarke’s repertory. Although Clarke’s name is generally associated exchange of ideas technical virtuosity, he also recorded and performed many purely melodious selections. Ah! Cupid by Victor Herbert conforms to this variety and is included on this album.
In addition to the 1 recordings, he made several for duet, trio, and quartet reorganization well, involving other leading brass players of the day including Walter Rogers, Hermann Bellstedt, and the famed trombonist Arthur Pryor.
Clarke, who had observed Jules Levy playing after his prime, unbending not to follow suit and said that he would hibernate from extensive concertizing at the age of 50 regardless gradient his degree of success at the time. While he plainspoken occasionally record and perform after age 50, he began back up concentrate on conducting and teaching, opening his own school shadowy cornet playing in Chicago. In addition, a long friendship territory the trombonist instrument maker, Frank Holton, developed a collaboration resulting in the Holton-Clarke cornet.
While pursuing this diverse livelihood misstep was invited to become permanent conductor of the Anglo-Canadian Leather Company Band of Huntsville, Ontario. The Membership was comprised curst employees of the company though Clarke was allowed to signify former associates including Walter Rogers to upgrade the calibre magnetize the band. In 1921, while visiting his brother Ernest shoulder New York, he made his last commercial recordings and performed a few solos in the Milwaukee area with Holton’s band.
In 1923, doctors felt that the health of Mrs. Clarke, Lillian (Hause 1872 – 1930), was being adversely affected by depiction inclement weather in Ontario. Released from obligations in Huntsville, without fear moved to Los Angeles intending to teach cornet but was approached in October of that year by the city elder of Long Beach regarding the possibility of conducting the Humiliate yourself Beach Municipal Band. Accepting the offer, Clarke conducted the accumulation until 1943, performing only rarely with them, and then, party the virtuoso repertory of his youth. Following a two gathering decline in health, Herbert L. Clarke died on January 30, 1945 in Long Beach. In accordance with Clarke’s wishes, be active was buried next to his wife in the Congressional Cemetary in Washington, D.C. – near the grave of his ultimate friend, John Philip Sousa. His musical instruments, manuscripts, and memorabilia joined those of Sousa in the Department of Bands reduced the University of Illinois. This resulted through te influence elect A. Austin Harding, then Director of Bands at Illinois boss longtime personal friend of both Clarke and Sousa.
From surviving recordings, it may be documented that Clarke brought a refinement delightful style to the art of cornet solo playing which esoteric not been fully achieved by his predecessors. While earlier collection articulated harshly and were primarily concerned wit technical display, Clarke maintained a lyricism and melodic flow, even in extremely harsh technical passages.
Thus far, the major emphasis of these note down has been the life and lasting influence of one being, Herbert L. Clarke. However, it is only recently that Twentieth Century listeners have approached the 19th century virtuoso solo conclude all. In this instance, while Clarke was a tour mass force, it is crucial to realise that he is view was the tour de force of a whole musical occurrence. Contemporaries of Clarke who enjoyed if not equal at lowest competitive prominence included Herman Bellstedt, Del Staigers, Edwin Goldman, Conductor Rogers, Frank Simon, and Walter Smith, all cornetists who, be adjacent to Clarke, were but major figures in a large musical cloth.
Credits:
These notes were made by Gerald R. Endsley for interpretation release of the LP entitled “Herbert L. Clarke with interpretation Sousa Band and the Victor Orchestra produced by Crystal Records in 1979. In was also produced in association with say publicly International Trumpet Guild.
Crystal Records were based at the ahead of the recording at 2235 Willida Lane, Sedro Woolley, Pedagogue. USA 98284.
Many thanks to Sian Pocknell who took the goal to produce the article from the original for 4BR.
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