Posted by Richard on October 22, 2000 at 13:55:25:
In Reply to: Rex Martin vs Gene Pokorny posted by LI Tuba Guy on October 22, 2000 at 13:00:51:
Only the reckless will "go there" but as to inheriting the job. . . That was fairly common in earlier generations, but not during the period that Rex was subbing for Mr. Jacobs. To refer to Rex as Jacobs' "boy" in this regard is realy demeaning, as it would be to refer to Dave Fedderly, Roger Rocco, and others who covered the chair before Rex. Rex did a great job, some of which is preserved on recordings, but I'm sure whatever his hopes and asperations were, he was under no illusions about the fickleness of destiny and the ways of the profession. By all accounts it was an extremely rigorous audition between great finalists, one at which Mr. Jacobs agreed to advise but not arbitrate. Gene earned it fair and sqaure, but it was also his lucky day.
BTW I saw Rex after the Stevens Tuba Concerto concert. He was extremely enthusiastic, and there was nothing in his attitude to reveal anything but the greatest admiration for Gene, and for the performance that had taken place.