The History of Bach "1955 model" Stradivarius C trumpets
Page coming soon featuring Vincent Bach C trumpets used by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) and surrounding 1955-model Bach Stradivarius “C” trumpets.
In the spring of 1955, Vincent Bach re-designed and manufactured a “Model 1955” version of his Bach Stradivarius C trumpet, with improvements, including a new 1st valve slide design/bracing change, along with a fingerhook design.
The “Model 1955” design is still used today by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, as well as by other professional orchestra trumpet players around the globe.
April 1955 Batch of 6
- “C” 1955 Model (SN# 13960)
- Bb Slides
- New style 1st slide
- Fingerhook on 1st slide
Note:
- Sold 4 “C” Trumpets to “Music Products,” which was sold to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Seriall # | Date Comp. | Date Sold | Customer | Notes (Player) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
13957 | 4/1/55 | 6/26/56 | ||
13958 | 4/1/55 | 5/13/55 | Music Products Inc. | CSO (Nashan) |
13959 | 4/1/55 | 5/13/55 | Music Products Inc. | CSO (Herseth) |
13960 | 4/1/55 | 2/24/56 | Gupton Music Co. | |
13961 | 4/1/55 | 5/13/55 | Music Products Inc. | CSO (Cichowicz) |
13962 | 4/1/55 | 5/13/55 | Music Products Inc. | CSO (Babcock) |
Additional resources about the CSO Bach C trumpets.
- “The essence of the CSO brass sound: teamwork as a guiding ethos”
– CSO - “Nothing else sounds like vintage brass: These CSO musicians are avid collectors of age-old instruments”
– Chicago Tribune - “A great trumpet is ‘a thing of beauty, an extension of you”
– Chicago Sun Times - “Remembering Rudolph Nashan“
– CSO Archives
May 1955 Batch of 6
- “C” 1955 Model (SN# 13960)
- Bb Slides
- Assume: Also have new style 1st slide
- 1st slide finger hook
Note:
- Sold 4 “C” Trumpets to “José Iturbi”
Serial # | Date Comp. | Date Sold | Customer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
13963 | 5/3/55 | 8/12/55 | José Iturbi | |
13964 | 5/3/55 | 9/16/55 | Music Products Inc. | |
13965 | 5/3/55 | 1/3/55 | José Iturbi | |
13966 | 5/3/55 | 1/3/55 | José Iturbi | |
13967 | 5/3/55 | 6/4/56 | Modern Music Center | W. R. DeJong Orange City, IA |
13968 | 5/3/55 | 1/3/55 | José Iturbi |
These “model 1955” Bach C Sradivarius trumpets were played by future “trumpet greats,” one of which was Dr. William “Bill” DeJong.
Serial number #13967 was original sold to Dr. William DeJong in 1956 as he was studying music at Morningside College, in the great Sioux Falls, Iowa area. Dr. DeJong would later serve as a frequent bugler at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery while in the U.S. Army. He earned the first Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of North Texas, played in the Sioux Falls Symphony Orchestra, and served as a band director and educator to several generations of professional trumpet players.
These “C” trumpets were exceptional, but also the players who played them.
source: The Sioux Falls City Journal, May 10 1969
