DAVID KRAUSS, PRINCIPAL TRUMPET OF THE MET TAKES DELIVERY OF A PRANA XLT C TRUMPET!

DAVID GOT THE HORN ON A WEDNESDAY, AND THAT SATURDAY - JUST THREE DAYS LATER HE USED IT IN PERFORMANCE AT THE MET WITH WYNTON MARSALIS AND DAVE MONETTE IN THE AUDIENCE.

Metropolitan Opera Principal Trumpet David Krauss sent a note just a few weeks ago, saying he was interested in checking out some Monette mouthpieces. In a follow up phone conversation to discuss details, we mentioned that we have a new lightweight C trumpet - about the same weight or even lighter than most production trumpets - but built with our new "wide radius" design. We asked him if he would like to try it, and he said he was excited to check it out and would give us his honest opinion.

Now if you don't know David Krauss, know that he has always been a gifted musician - so much so that Wynton gave him one of his early Monette Bb’s many years ago as he was coming up as a student at Juilliard. David is one of those people who makes it look so easy - but it only looks easy because he worked as hard as anyone could in perfecting his artistry and craft.

We sent our new shop sample PRANA XLT C trumpet and some matching mouthpieces out on a quick approval, hoping for some useful feedback given that the horn was designed for situations like the MET. He received the horn on a Wednesday, and David liked the horn right from the start. He decided to use it for that week’s performances – two different operas, Verdi’s “Macbeth” and Tan Dun’s “The First Emperor.” On hearing this news, Dave Monette and his partner Karen Hangsterfer decided to get on a plane and fly out to hear how David sounded in person. Now, playing a new instrument in a very high profile performance situation with only a few days rehearsal would normally be enough for any performer to deal with, but David Krauss is not just any performer...

David called his mentor Wynton Marsalis to ask him if he could come out and hear how he sounded on the new horn. When word got out to the management that Wynton Marsalis needed last minute seats for a sold out performance, the MET General Manager’s box seats suddenly became available. Wynton, Karen and Dave got the best seats in the house, and were invited to Met general manager Peter Gelb's private office at intermission for champaign, canapés, and to have Mr. Krauss show everyone the new trumpet!

Mr. Gelb, is an old friend of Wynton’s who actually produced Wynton’s "Marsalis on Music" video series and the CD “Baroque Duet” with Wynton and Kathleen Battle back in the 90’s. David Krauss told us before the concert that the only reason someone gets invited to the general managers’s office is because they did something really, really good or they are getting a pink slip! Of course, the former was the case, and David came into the office at intermission with his new Monette trumpet in hand for everyone to check out.

Everyone had a great time, and after the concert they all attended the cast party and dinner hosted by Mr. Gelb. The star of the show, Placido Domingo, was in fine form, and as it turned out, Ed Arrendell, Wynton’s manager, was also in attendance. As the party was winding down, Dave Monette’s old friend Lew Soloff (who was one of David Krauss’ teachers!) called Dave’s cell phone and invited them to the Carlysle Hotel where he was playing with a small group. So the party moved to the east side of Central Park and everyone had a great hang with Lew – until almost 3:00 AM!

As if this was not enough of an initiation for David trying out a new horn, the next week he played "Pictures at an Exhibition" at Carnegie Hall under the baton of Valery Gergiev, with Maestro Levine in the audience! He used the horn, everything went great, and he sent us the following email the next day:

"Dave - I played the First Emperor on Saturday and Pictures at an Exhibition on Sunday on your trumpet. Both performances went really well and I still can't believe how well your horn plays. I got 2 solo bows after the Pictures concert. Afterwards as I was leaving Carnegie Hall to meet with friends and family, many people commented on the warm, effortless yet brilliant sound the heard. This sealed it for me Dave. This trumpet gets me closer to MY idea of what a beautiful trumpet sound is. I can't thank you enough. Really. Thank you."

We are excited to say the least that David likes the new horn, and several of us at the shop look forward to future trips to New York to hear more MET performances as often as possible! Thanks David.