Re: Peter Ostroushko Passes
Peter would always 'think first and then say something'. Often we would not say anything for quite a while, ha, ha. We had kind of a strange friendship that way. We never talked about music, only that it was all in a day's work. He was particularly remarkable at a mandolin workshop for the CMSA (classical mandolin society of America) where he said nothing for 10 minutes in front of about 60 students. Some people stuck their head in the door, saw no activity and left, others packed up and left the room. Then he spoke. He said, 'I was waiting for the people who really want to participate, and the others to leave.' He then asked for requests. He got about 10 diverse requests from the Beatles tunes to one's he'd recorded and then played them all without ANY help in remembering the requests.
Re: Peter Ostroushko Passes
I remember the workshop that DougC mentions at the CMSA in Minneapolis and it was a great one. My memory is that we got him to talk a little about the preparation for and recording of the Original Underground Music from the Mysterious South album with Norman and Nancy (to my mind one of the greatest mandolin orchestra/ensemble recordings ever). He was very modest about it but it was clear that he played a major role in making that recording the milestone that it is.
Later that day, or the next, I was privileged to sit for an hour or so and play tunes with Peter in the vendor area while the big orchestra was rehearsing nearby. We had met a couple of times before over the years but I don't think he remembered me. It was just a nice time playing some tunes and Peter was very gracious with tolerating my limitations. At one point I put one of Dave Cohen's oval hole mandolins in his hands (I asked Dave's permission first) and Peter loved it right away. When we were done he handed it back to Dave with some highly complimentary comments. Very complimentary.
Peter had a huge, positive influence on every acoustic musician I met when I moved to Iowa in the early 90s. But then he was a big deal to most of the musicians I knew back in the Louisville area before that as well. I got to see him play lots of times but I'll always regret that I missed him with the Mando Boys at a Kentucky Fried Chicken Bluegrass Festival sometime around 1980. I was just "too busy" that day. I suppose there's a lesson in that.
Thanks, Peter, for all of the music and the joy.
Re: Peter Ostroushko Passes
A huge loss to the mandolin community, and one of my biggest influences. I still have my autographed vinyl copy of Sluz Duz -- great stuff! I think I'll put on Blue Mesa today.
Re: Peter Ostroushko Passes
Like those above, I too loved the playing of Peter and enjoyed the several times I could interact with him. Eg. the workshop at the Classical Mandolin convention, mentioned by Doug and John. Years ago when my grandson, Ravi, (now 14) was 2 1/2, we were watching a Mr. Rogers video and Peter came on! I asked Ravi and his mom to be quiet so we could watch it. I loved that...amd .I imagine it's on Y-T. I ended up buying that video and have watched it a lot and shared with friends.
A wonderful musician AND person.
Re: Peter Ostroushko Passes
It's Sad Day. One of our good ones has passed. Thank you Peter for all you've given. A shining light in the mando world. Beautiful tunes. Beautiful tones. He opened up many doors with that great big heart, those fabulous musical skills and that amazing sense of humor. RIP Brother
Re: Peter Ostroushko Passes
I’m saddened to hear of Peter’s passing. His tremolo never fails to touch my emotions as if it is a human voice.
Re: Peter Ostroushko Passes
GREAT musician........... nicer person!
We lost a good one......... so sad.
Re: Peter Ostroushko Passes
I just now heard the news. I took mandolin lessons from him for seven and a half years before the stroke ended his playing. He was my teacher, my mentor, and my friend. We saw eye-to-eye (ear-to-ear?) on most mando music, and he filled me up with so many wonderful tunes.
Re: Peter Ostroushko Passes
This was the last tune of his I played on my radio show...gives me a smile every time I hear it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J23v7HqsiYo
Re: Peter Ostroushko Passes
I too am very saddened to receive this news. Peter was a master musician and a gentle soul. Rest in peace.
Re: Peter Ostroushko Passes
Yes a Very very sad loss. He was a sweet soul. We will miss his muse. Thank you Peter for every note.
Re: Peter Ostroushko Passes
Well nuts. I'm sad. Just got the news from Hans Brentrup. Known Peter since the mid '70s, though haven't seen him much recently, being 2,000 miles away now. Last time was a number of years ago... surprise drop-in visit while I was in town. Caught him at his kitchen table peeling the little skins off grapefruit sections. I talked, he peeled. What a great guy. Bummed.
Re: Peter Ostroushko Passes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg9b...iA4dkykNWLyfVR
One of the best. The linked video is a great rendition of "Russian Rag" with the Modern Mandolin Quartet, joined by Sam Bush and Peter.
Re: Peter Ostroushko Passes
Very sad to hear. He made a significant contribution. Playing “The Orthodox Priest” in his honor.
Re: Peter Ostroushko Passes
He made me want to play the mandolin, and then later he helped show me how. Listening back tonight, i'm in awe once again at his depth and breadth. He could play every style!! and bring musicality and personality to it! and still always communicate that one should sound like themself.
the tremolo!!!!! and the commitment to leaving space. such an inspiring player.
Re: Peter Ostroushko Passes
We lost a great one. So sorry to hear this. Condolences to his family and friends.
Re: Peter Ostroushko Passes
Very sad news. Peter was one of my all-time favorite mandolin players to listen to. To me, his tremolo and tone on this live recording of Heart of the Heartland says it all and it leaves me speechless every time I hear it. RIP
https://youtu.be/YgJn2F6lMcM
Alan Epstein
Re: Peter Ostroushko Passes
Sad day. I remember when I heard Peter play 'Heart of the Heartland' on Prairie Home Companion, I knew, right then, that I wanted to play the mandolin. God bless you Peter, for your inspiration, and may our memory of you live on forever. We are blessed to have lived on this earth with you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgJn2F6lMcM
Re: Peter Ostroushko Passes
Re: Peter Ostroushko Passes
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Al Trujillo
Sad day. I remember when I heard Peter play 'Heart of the Heartland' on Prairie Home Companion, I knew, right then, that I wanted to play the mandolin. God bless you Peter, for your inspiration, and may our memory of you live on forever. We are blessed to have lived on this earth with you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgJn2F6lMcM
Talk about someone who could show that it's not just what notes you play, but how you play them!
Re: Peter Ostroushko Passes
"Everyone is part of the deal" - That's one of his themes; everyone is included. Peter would have everyone crying at the Prairie Home Companion show because they were invited to sing "You are My Sunshine". He was a great story teller and he shared this theme again in this video.
Remember, friends what he says here.
Re: Peter Ostroushko Passes
I will be paying tribute to Peter on my radio show today (friday feb 26th 2021) on WTJU Charlottesville, VA, USA. The show will be a very mando-centric show, with new material also from Andrew Marling and Ethan Setiawan, and some Brazilian bandolim players who haven’t yet been mentioned on the Cafe forum. The show airs 4-6pm US EDT on https://www.wtju.net/
RIP, Peter.
Pete
Re: Peter Ostroushko Passes
If you love mandolins (and let's face it, don't we all?) I recommend going back and listening to the live Mando Boys recording "Holstein Lust". Powerful playing and stellar arrangements. I have this recording on heavy rotation out in my shop, and the Joplin numbers are especially impressive.
I got to see The Boys play live at a small bar near here, and the terrific playing combined with the uproarious comedy act that went with it made a truly notable evening. Yes, they all were wearing a Fez.
Re: Peter Ostroushko Passes
The StarTribune had a nice article about Peter this morning.
https://www.startribune.com/peter-os...ies/600027280/
Re: Peter Ostroushko Passes
Quote:
Originally Posted by
DougC
"Everyone is part of the deal" - That's one of his themes; everyone is included. Peter would have everyone crying at the Prairie Home Companion show because they were invited to sing "You are My Sunshine". He was a great story teller and he shared this theme again in this video.
Remember, friends what he says here.
A totally captivating storyteller as well as a musician. RIP Peter.