Last stop, Carnegie Hall : New York Philharmonic trumpeter William Vacchiano

William Vacchiano (1912-2005) was principal trumpet with the New York Philharmonic from 1942 to 1973, and taught at Juilliard, the Manhattan School of Music, the Mannes College of Music, Queens College, and Columbia Teachers College. While at the Philharmonic, Vacchiano performed under the batons of Arturo Toscanini, Bruno Walter, Dimitri Mitropoulos, and Leonard Bernstein and played in the world premieres of almost 200 pieces by such composers as Vaughan Williams, Copland, and Barber. Vacchiano was important not only for his performances, but also for his teaching. His students have held the principal chairs of many major orchestras and are prominent teachers themselves, and they have enriched non-classical music as well. Two of his better known students are Miles Davis and Wynton Marsalis.
Last Stop, Carnegie Hall features an overview of the life of this very private artist, based on several personal interviews conducted by Brian A. Shook and Vacchiano's notes for his own unpublished memoir. Shook also interviewed many of his students and colleagues and includes a chapter containing their recollections. Other important topics include analyses of Vacchiano's pedagogical methods and his interpretations of important trumpet pieces, his "rules of orchestral performance," and his equipment. A discography, a bibliography of Vacchiano's own works, and lists of his students and the conductors and players with whom he performed round out this richly illustrated examination of one of the most influential trumpet players and teachers of the twentieth century.

• List of Illustrations p. x
• Foreword p. xiii Wynton Marsalis
• Preface p. xv
• Acknowledgments p. xvii
• Introduction p. 1
• Chapter 1 Biography p. 3
• Family History p. 3
• Early Studies and Performances in Portland and Boston p. 4
• The Road to New York p. 10
• Max Schlossberg and The Juilliard School p. 12
• A Dual Career as a Performer and Teacher p. 17
• Retirement Years (1973-2005) p. 24
• Chapter 2 Vacchiano and the New York Philharmonic p. 28
• The New York Philharmonic p. 28
• Vacchiano's Perception of Various Conductors p. 29
• The Philharmonic Trumpet Section p. 34
• Vacchiano and Nat Prager p. 35
• Personal Impressions of Vacchiano's Musicianship p. 40
• Chapter 3 Responsibilities of a Principal Trumpeter p. 49
• Principles of Orchestral Musicianship p. 49
• Vacchiano on Orchestral Excerpts p. 51
• Historical Background of Compositions p. 52
• Approach to Specific Styles and Excerpts p. 54
• Preparing for the Audition p. 56
• Chapter 4 Vacchiano's Rules of Orchestral Performance p. 59
• Articulation p. 59
• Rhythm p. 62
• Phrasing p. 64
• Miscellaneous p. 65
• Chapter 5 Pedagogical Methods p. 67
• Teaching Style p. 67
• Transposition p. 74
• Tone Production p. 76
• Intonation p. 77
• Tonguing p. 78
• Chapter 6 Vacchiano's Use of Equipment p. 81
• The Mouthpiece p. 81
• Rim Diameter p. 84
• Rim Shape and Contour p. 84
• The Cup p. 87
• Throat and Bore p. 90
• Backbore (Venturi) p. 91
• Trumpets in Various Keys p. 92
• Choosing the Right Equipment in an Orchestra p. 95
• Chapter 7 Remembering Bill p. 100
• Philip Varriale's Eulogy p. 100
• Lee Soper's Memorial p. 105
• Presentation of Honorary Doctorate to William Vacchiano p. 107
• Personal Recollections from Former Students, Colleagues, and Friends p. 108
• Appendix A Principal and Guest Conductors of the New York Philharmonic, 1935-1973 p. 124
• Appendix B New York Philharmonic Trumpet Section, The Vacchiano Years, 1935-1973 p. 127
• Appendix C New York Philharmonic World Premières, 1935-1973 p. 129
• Appendix D New York Philharmonic U.S. Premières, 1935-1973 p. 136
• Appendix E Selected Discography of William Vacchiano with the New York Philharmonic, 1935-1973 p. 141
• Appendix F Bibliography of Music Publications p. 157 William Vacchiano
• Appendix G The Students of William Vacchiano p. 159
• Endnotes p. 166
• Bibliography and Sources p. 177
• Index p. 185