Gallery | The Concert Trombone Quartette

English small bore trombones from the time of the original group’s formation in 1892 with an Eb alto, Bb tenors & a G bass trombone.

The same instruments at The Royal Albert Hall where the original group was synonymous with Henry Wood’s new Promenade Concerts which began at London's Queen’s Hall in 1895.

The original 19th century German trombones were constructed with much larger bores and flared bells. This was in response to the growth of orchestra sizes during the transition from the late classical to the mid Romantic period. They provided a darker, richer sound ideal for Bruckner, Brahms, Mahler & Wagner. These instruments from c.1860 are in pitched Eb, Bb and Bb & F.

These trombones are copies from the Classical period c.1785, ideally suited for Mozart, Schubert & Beethoven and are pitched in Eb, Bb and F.

The Concert Trombone Quartette superimposed in front of the Queen’s Hall, London (original image dated 1894).

By permission of Historic England Archive