John Barwicki (BSO double bass, 1937-1987) oral history interview: Barwicki, John, interviewee (Side A, Side B); Joseph Orosz (BSO trombone, 1943-1970) oral history interview: Orosz, Irma, interviewee (Side B), January 26, 1993; May 20, 1993, 2023-06-28T00:00:00+00:00

Cassette 26: Oral history conducted by Robert Ripley on January 26, 1993|Transcribed by Diana Cook, February, 1995 (Side A, Side B); Oral history conducted by Robert Ripley on May 20, 1993, Irma Orosz is the wife of Joseph Orosz|Transcribed by Diana Cook, February, 1995 (Side B).

PARTIAL TRANSCRIPT

Tape 26, Side A

Interviewer: Bob Ripley Interviewee: John Barwicki Date: January 26, 1993

0:06 INTERVIEW BEGINS

0:24-2:00 reflections on position as bass; picked up the bass because the headmaster at South Boston High School encouraged it

2:00-11:25 early life; father was a barber but loved violin and studied it until he needed a piano accompaniest; John began studying piano to play with father; headmaster at high school also encouraged music in the students; headmaster introduced John to the bass and helped him get into class with Max KUNZE

11:25-14:25 after high school, expected to leave the bass behind; Leslie ROGERS called and asked him to audition for Esplanade orchestra on recommendation from Max KUNZE; headmaster of high school saw him in newspaper; no time for an audition for FIEDLER, as KUNZE vouched for Barwicki

14:41-21:26 work with Esplanade encouraged him to continue work on bass, went to New England Conservatory of Music with Max KUNZE; took a lot of odd jobs in restaurants and clubs; played for WNAC (Kenmore Square) and WHDH; played with local and college orchestras

21:26-27:11 was performing with New York Philharmonic; auditioned for KOUSSEVITZKY and performed for summer; 1937 was asked to join the BSO after death of another bassist; KOUSSEVITZKY invited him based on his playing with the Esplanade; discussion of why he plays bass

27:11-30:00 Story of doing bass tricks during shows at Tanglewood; interaction with Arthur FIEDLER; had fun with the other bassists with fun hats

31:23-34:18 story of playing in Japan with OZAWA during tour

34:18-36:56 anecdotes about KOUSSEVITKZY; "he was such an artist and a genius, he was looking for the colors of the instruments"; KOUSSEVITZKY took a liking to John

36:56-40:29 anecdote about KOUSSEVITZKY inviting Barwicki inviting John to Kousse' house in Brookline; Kousse gave him bowing techniques; Koussevitzky was so dedicated to the orchestra; after guest conductors would challenge players on things that had changed in his absence

40:29-44:10 KOUSSEVITZKY tried to make everything musical according to his own taste

44:10-46:21 challenges of playing under KOUSSEVITZKY: always in competition with TUSCANINI; was a perfectionist with high standards; late rehearsals

46:21-47:40 impressions of MUNCH: allowed everyone to be more relaxed, less serious; story of time after a tour; often canceled and skipped rehearsals

47:40-48:00 LEINSDORF loved German music and German operas; interpretations were of the German school

48:00-49:48 OZAWA took over; is "very talented" with a good memory; depends too much on the musicians; could rehearse without a score

49:48-50:02 retirement life

50:02 RECORDING ENDS

Tape 26, Side B

0:08 RECORDING BEGINS: JOHN BARWICKI, CONT'D

0:08-5:34 retirement life: swimming; still plays bass sometimes but it's often painful; occasionally performs when invited; memories of his wife and children

6:36 INTERVIEW ENDS

Interviewer: Bob Ripley Interviewee: Irma Orosz Subject: Josef Orosz Date: May 20, 1993

6:56 INTERVIEW BEGINS

7:16-11:00 early life; born in Toledo, OH in Hungarian neighborhood; Joseph was all music even at a young age; debating if he should be a priest or continue with music

11:00-13:27 went to business school; got a job in brokerage office; saw a band performing and fell in love with music again; went to Boston; went to Conservatory of Music for trombone; studied with ADAM

13:27-15:54 started teaching piano; meanwhile Irma's family encouraged music training; Josef was invited to teach Irma piano at their house; Josef returned to Toledo to play, continued to write to Irma

15:54-19:00 Irma taught art while Josef continued teaching elsewhere; Josef would travel to visit her in Toledo while he worked in Boston; difficult financial times as Josef lost his job, but got married regardless and both began teaching

19:00-21:25 auditioned for BSO in 1944 for KOUSSEVITZKY; difficult job to do as he filled in for absent trombonists; had to be prepared for any part and any instrument

21:25-22:02 MUNCH was his favorite conductor to play with

22:02-26:50 Replaced Bill MOYES as second trombone; story of OROSZ confronting FIEDLER about negative comments; memories of the Pops and "Bolero"; challenging passage of the Ravelle Bolero but OROSZ could do it well

26:55-27:45 retired in 1970; became sick soon after; went on many trips abroad

27:45-29:30 went to Europe for BSO trip in 1956 to Ireland, Scotland, Scandinavia, Russia; traveled with HUMPHREY as wives' experience was limited/restricted

29:30-35:15 retirement travel including cruises; photography through his life and after; wonderful life together during and after BSO; moved to new house; story of the house and settlement in Berkshires; she rents the house out now

36:10-38:44 children and family life; loss of son Paul; personal art career

39:03 INTERVIEW ENDS