Music to test systems

Ray Still was an astonishing oboe player and quite a character even by the stereotypes of oboe players. I didn't get to know Larry Combs. I knew the brass players the best, especially Adolph Herseth (trumpet) and Dale Clevenger (Horn). I became more than a subscriber because at the University of Illinois when I was a "gopher" for the Decca recording team and Solti. That's how I got to know Solti and to attend rehersals and recording sessions over the years. Additionally, my wife, who is also nuts about music,was the banker for the CSO and the Lyric Opera.

Ray Still was my favorite aboist and I regret never having had the pleasure of meeting him. Many of my oboe playing colleagues revere his work with the CSO and yes his reputation as a character is well known. Some of the CSO's recordings are used as great examples of American school wind playing as I'm sure you know. I recently had the pleasure of working on a project with Larry Combs and I was extremely impressed with his musicianship. Most don't realize that he is also a first rate jazz player; on the clarinet as well as the saxophone. Remarkable player and a true gentleman.

oboist not Aboist; obviously.