Paris, Boston, the Trombone, and Bolero: Joannès Rochut (1881-1952)
Presented by Douglas Yeo
Saturday, November 22, 2025, 3:30 PM
About the Lecture:
Joannès Rochut played principal trombone in the Boston Symphony Orchestra from 1925–1930. Born in Paris, he played in several prominent orchestras in his home city, served in the French Army, toured the United States with “The French Military Band” during the waning months of World War I, and when he returned to Paris after his five years in Boston, he was general manager of the National Orchestra of France. Noted for the publication of his three volumes of Melodious Etudes from the works of the prominent Italien/French singer and pedagogue, Marco Bordogni (published in New York in 1928)—they are the most frequently used study material by trombonists around the world—Rochut also played the trombone solo in what was the third recording ever made of Maurice Ravel’s Bolero, with Serge Koussevitzky and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Rochut was also posthumously inducted into the International Trombone Association’s prestigious Legacy Circle. Douglas Yeo, who was bass trombonist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra from 1985 to 2012, has been researching the life, work, and influence of this well-known trombonist for over 40 years, and his lecture will include a slide presentation, the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s 1930 recording of Bolero, and Yeo’s own performance of several pieces arranged by Rochut, both for unaccompanied trombone and with piano accompaniment.
Joannès Rochut played principal trombone in the Boston Symphony Orchestra from 1925–1930. Born in Paris, he played in several prominent orchestras in his home city, served in the French Army, toured the United States with “The French Military Band” during the waning months of World War I, and when he returned to Paris after his five years in Boston, he was general manager of the National Orchestra of France. Noted for the publication of his three volumes of Melodious Etudes from the works of the prominent Italien/French singer and pedagogue, Marco Bordogni (published in New York in 1928)—they are the most frequently used study material by trombonists around the world—Rochut also played the trombone solo in what was the third recording ever made of Maurice Ravel’s Bolero, with Serge Koussevitzky and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Rochut was also posthumously inducted into the International Trombone Association’s prestigious Legacy Circle. Douglas Yeo, who was bass trombonist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra from 1985 to 2012, has been researching the life, work, and influence of this well-known trombonist for over 40 years, and his lecture will include a slide presentation, the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s 1930 recording of Bolero, and Yeo’s own performance of several pieces arranged by Rochut, both for unaccompanied trombone and with piano accompaniment.
About the Series:
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