My Alfred Laubin Story
-Bruce Weinstein
Born in New York City in 1949 to musician parents who imbued me with a love of music. I began playing oboe at 12 and studied with Ronald Roseman and Harold Gomberg. After military service, I held principal oboe positions with the Ft. Wayne Philharmonic and Grand Rapids Symphony. In 1985, I joined the Israel Philharmonic, performing with renowned conductors and soloists until my retirement in 2016.
“You need a new oboe”. I had been studying with Harold Gomberg at Manhattan School of Music when Harold told me that. I thought he would recommend the Lorée brand, but he said, “I want you to go out to Long Island City and get an oboe from Al Laubin.” I had never heard of the name before, but I called Laubin’s and made an appointment with Penzel Mueller (Penzel Mueller was a woodwind manufacturer on Long Island, now out of business. Alfred Laubin had a short relationship with that company.) to visit and buy an oboe.
At the company, I went into the work area. Alfred introduced himself and asked me about myself. He had two or three oboes ready for me to try. I started to play on them. After a while, I asked him which he thought best suited me; he gave me his suggestion. Throughout this time, Alfred treated me not as a student but as a professional, due all respect and courtesy. I agreed with his suggestion. I took the oboe home and found I couldn’t put it down. At my lesson the next week, the first question Gomberg asked was if I had gotten a new oboe. I said, “Yes,” and he said, “Let’s see it.” He played it for about 15 minutes straight, putting the oboe through its paces, then handed it back to me saying, “This is a really fine oboe,” followed by “If I’d been smart like my brother, I’d have stayed playing Laubins.” Quite an endorsement!
In the succeeding years, as I started my professional career after military service, I always visited the shop, be it in Elmsford or wherever. Alfred was one of the kindest people I ever met in this profession. His workmanship was phenomenal. His son, Paul Laubin, carried those exacting standards on after Alfred’s early passing) and his nature remained the same, quiet and generous. Whatever issue I had, due to my problems with reeds or whatever, he listened to what I said and always gave advice as how to solve the question. When after three hours of work I would ask for the bill, he would invariably say, “I didn’t do much at all, just give me a couple of dollars.” He always had time for me, and I always felt I had to play my best at the shop to show I was worthy of such great instruments.
It’s no coincidence after starting off with Alfred that I continued with Paul with the same degree of success and enjoyment. Paul and I corresponded for years by letter, and he always made time for me at the shop no matter what whether I came in from Grand Rapids or later Israel. That tradition of excellence started by Alfred, continued by Paul and those who worked with him, and now by yourself as part of that great Laubin legacy is a testament to Alfred’s and Paul’s work over the years.
I hope this gives some insight into Alfred and the reverence us “old timers” give him.
Wishing the new Laubin team all the success in the world.
Bruce Weinstein
Solo oboe retired
Israel Philharmonic