We received word over the weekend that Edward Kleinhammer, a legendary member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s trombone section from 1940 until 1985, died on November 30 at his home in Hayward, Wisconsin. He was 94.
Born in Chicago in 1919, Edward Kleinhammer started his musical training at age ten on the violin and switched to trombone when he was fourteen. He studied with David Anderson (CSO trombone and bass trombone, 1929–1959) and Edward Geffert (CSO trombone, 1921–1941) and joined the Civic Orchestra of Chicago in 1938 and served for two seasons, and in 1940 he joined Leopold Stokowski’s All-American Youth Orchestra following a nationwide competition. Later that same year—at the age of twenty-one—at the invitation of Frederick Stock, Kleinhammer joined the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as trombone and bass trombone.
Kleinhammer’s tenure with the Orchestra was interrupted by military service in the U.S. Army during World War II, when he served in the 447th Army Air Forces Band from June 1942 until August 1945. His book The Art of Trombone Playing was published by Summy-Birchard in 1963, and he also was the inventor and originator of the optional E attachment for bass trombone, manufactured by the Frank Holton Company. Kleinhammer also co-authored Mastering the Trombone with Douglas Yeo, a former student and retired bass trombone with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
After forty-five years in the Orchestra—serving under seven music directors: Stock, Désiré Defauw, Artur Rodzinski, Rafael Kubelík, Fritz Reiner, Jean Martinon, and Sir Georg Solti—Kleinhammer retired in June 1985.
He is survived by his wife Dessie. Services will be private and plans for a memorial service in Hayward are pending.
In November 1985, Jay Friedman, principal trombone of the CSO, provided a tribute to Kleinhammer in The Instrumentalist following his colleague’s retirement. Friedman wrote: “What a joy it is to work with Ed; he is the most conscientious musician I have ever met. He is a fanatic about practicing and preparing material, taking great care to get something as simple as an attack absolutely perfect. He arrives hours before rehearsals and concerts to make sure his preparation is as good as it can be. Because his personal standards of playing and conduct are so high, Ed never tries to compete with anyone but himself. He is humble about his own talents and generous in praising others. Shortly before he retired I asked Ed if he would continue playing after he left the Orchestra. As I expected he said no. I knew there was only one way he could be a musician, and that was by giving 110% of himself. Things will never be the same without Ed Kleinhammer.”
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December 27, 2021 at 6:27 AM
1963 Telecast: Hindemith Leads the CSO in Music of Hindemith, Bruckner, Brahms – The Listeners' Club
[…] brass section, which included such celebrated players as Adolph Herseth (principal trumpet), Edward Kleinhammer (bass trombone), and Arnold Jacobs (tuba) is on full display. Also of historical significance is […]
December 27, 2021 at 3:14 AM
Hindemith Leads the CSO in Music of Hindemith, Bruckner, Brahms – The Listeners' Membership -
[…] Chicago brass part, which included such celebrated gamers as Adolph Herseth (principal trumpet), Edward Kleinhammer (principal trombone), and Arnold Jacobs (tuba) is on full show. Additionally of historic […]
September 20, 2021 at 11:22 AM
Chicago Symphony Brass: A History - Part 2 - Brian Wise
[…] the era saw a changing of the guard: Edward Kleinhammer, the CSO’s revered bass trombonist, retired in 1985 after a nearly 45-year tenure. He was […]
December 5, 2013 at 3:45 PM
wayne bjerregaard
Ed and CSO colleague Frank Crisafulli teamed up in producing an overwhelming number of top notch trombonists for major symphony orchestras over a fifty year period. Nobody will ever match their success. I was a Bohemian student at the time (70’s) in that I did not have the money to attend one of the training academies (like Eastman) and both of them encouraged me (and others in the same shape) to continue the quest. Both also shared the adage, “don’t become a legend in your own mind”…keep experimenting (there’s no one best way) and learning what fits “you” while always being commited to the Remington basics of solid playing. Symphonic artists today who are truly interested in becoming great TEACHERS of the art (and many are not…and that’s okay) would be best served by studying their philosophies and techniques. My sincere sympathies to the Kleinhammer family. Ed held nothing back…he shared all his knowledge without ego and pomp. He was a class act to the very end and provides a superb representative and testimonial for the just why the CSO brass back in the 60’s thru 80’s were so spectatacular. The best are generally the most congenial and the most modest. He was a kind, thoughtful and ever patient mentor for so very many.
December 3, 2013 at 9:53 AM
Jeff Taylor
He was my teacher, mentor and dear friend…and more. He was like a father to me. A true gentleman.
December 2, 2013 at 9:25 PM
Edward Kleinhammer (1919-2013) | Listening From The Back Row
[…] Edward Kleinhammer, famed bass trombonist (1940-1985) of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra passed away this last weekend at the age of 94. As part of the famous brass section during the golden age of the CSO, Kleinhammer and his remarkable colleagues rigorously defined what an American brass section should sound like. While Mr. Kleinhammer will be missed by many, his influence will live on through his former students and recordings. I’ve linked below to the wonderful CSO low brass excerpt recording where you can hear Edward Kleinhammer and his colleagues at their very best: […]
December 2, 2013 at 1:22 PM
Richard
Back in the day, when Orchestra Hall opened at the half-hour before downbeat, you could count on certain musicians to be in their places, warming up, methodically disciplined and yet with a calm and certain musical style. They were Clark Brody, Bud Herseth, and Ed Kleinhammer. I always made it a point to be there.
December 2, 2013 at 11:19 AM
Don Moline
Ed Kleinhammer was a gentleman and a conscientious musician who played at a very high standard. I always enjoyed talking to him, and will miss his gentle spirit. –Don Moline, Cello Section (1967-2006)