The great trombone virtuoso Lito Fontana has revealed that he has been busier than ever since making the decision to take a break from brass bands and become a full time soloist.

Celebrated

The Argentinean star ended his celebrated tenure as principal trombone at Brass Band Oberösterreich last September, and ever since he has been inundated with offers to perform all over the world.

And now, after just celebrating his 50th birthday, he told 4BR that he continues to enjoy the opportunity to showcase his skills.

Fortunate

"I have been very fortunate," he told 4BR. "I didn’t know so many people wanted to hear me play.

I’ve just performed at the Danube Brass Festival, where I was privileged to give a masterclass with the wonderful bass trombone player Stefan Schulz from the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra."

Currents

Lito laughed when he recalled that the weather was so bad that the original plan to play on a ship sailing down the Danube had to be cancelled.

"I think we would have ended out at sea as the currents were so strong! Instead we played at the beautiful Grein Theatre, the oldest theatre in Austria, built in 1791. It was a wonderful occasion."

Second home

This weekend he returns to his second home of Italy (where he recalls he first came to play in a television orchestra that was sacked by Silvio Burlesconi!) where he will perform the premiere of a new work entitled, ‘Colors’ by Bert Appermont in the harbor town of San Benedetto.

"It’s such a pleasure to come back to play in Italy – which is my second home. The new work celebrates the European ‘Blue Banner’ Award as the sea here is so clear and pure – it is the perfect colour!"

Third home

Lito then returns to his third home of Austria, where he will perform with his renowned quartet Trombonisti Italiani, before going on a short tour to Abtei Lambach and Mondsee.

He finally makes a long awaited brass band return with a guest appearance with Brass Band Fröschl Hall, where he will once again meet up with his great friend MD Hannes Buchegger in a concert in the courtyard of the Imperial Palace in Innsbruck.

I cannot wait to perform in Argentina. It will be so emotional and it is a real honour and privilege as it will be the first time I will perform in a concert in my first and only homelandLito Fontana

Present

"My beautiful wife Mona sees less of me now when I was in the band," he chuckles. "But I always try to come home with a nice present for her as I miss her so much. I do miss playing in a brass band too though!"

First home

Further tours this year to Portugal and an appearance organised in Norway will be added to with his return to Argentina to play in ‘Trombonanza 2013’ in Santa Fe.

"I cannot wait to perform in Argentina. It will be so emotional and it is a real honour and privilege as it will be the first time I will perform in a concert in my first and only homeland."