Symphonie Fantastique/Les Preludes Chicago.

ZNC Dandy · Post by **ZNC Dandy** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:22 pm

This was recorded in on June 8th 1992 at the Salzburg Festival. Anyon know who was playing tuba? I assume it was Gene Pokorny, as this would be before he left for the LA Phil. Who was playing second? Its a spectacular CD. The Playing on Les Preludes is ENORMOUS.

eupher61 · Post by **eupher61** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 9:31 pm

Scott Mendoker played 2nd on a great CSO "Fantastique"...but, I'd not be surprised if they hired someone from Europe to play 2nd, rather than deal with travel for 2 movements, and only a handful of unique notes.

Norm Pearson · Post by **Norm Pearson** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 10:18 am

Doc wrote:Could 2nd have been Norm Pearson?

Doc

Nope, not me. I have never played extra with the CSO. Why not ask Northern

Norm

ZNC Dandy · Post by **ZNC Dandy** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 1:14 pm

Thanks for the replies everyone... :oops: I feel like quite the douchebag, as I should. I have been dealing with alot of personal and family issues, but they have all resolved themselves.Bloke has been very patient with me, and I would like to publicly apologize to him. The mouthpiece is on its way to my house. I have no doubt it will be every bit as spectacular as everyone says.

As for the original post, did some digging, and Michael Mulcahy played the first tuba part on Tenor Tuba. Gene Pokorny played the 2nd part.

sc_curtis · Post by **sc_curtis** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 1:56 pm

ZNC Dandy wrote:...Michael Mulcahy played the first tuba part on Tenor Tuba. Gene Pokorny played the 2nd part.

How common is this? Does it work well?

scottmendoker · Post by **scottmendoker** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 9:41 am

This is actually an interesting bit of tuba trivia - and not meant to brag or otherwise incriminate myself!!?!
I was asked to play 2nd on a Symphonie Fantastique with Warren Deck and the NY Phil right before this CSO 1992 tour. A couple of interesting points: Warren had JUST received the first two 2165s AND Sir Georg Solti was to conduct the NY Phil in a Pension Fund Concert. The two pieces, funny enough, on that program were Les Preludes and Symphonie Fantastique. Warren decided to do the Berloiz with the two 2165s. Also interesting was that Kurt Masur, the NY Phil director during that time period, had decided to have the basses set up across the back wall that entire season. After Sir Georg was introduced to the orchestra at the start of the first rehearsal, he looked around, saw were the basses were and said, "This will never work!!!" and started the rehearsal......... I also remember walking down the corridor under Avery Fisher Hall at the conclusion of the Liszt and thought that we were having an earth quake!! What a absolute thrill and honor it was to be able to hear Warren play!
Anyhow, right after that concert, Gene called me and asked me to "stand-by" because the CSO was going to record the Liszt and Berloiz while they were in Salzburg. The thinking was that since I had just done Fantastique with Solti, I wouldn't need to rehearse it with them. So, I ALMOST got to go, but Michael Mulcahy played the top part and he and Gene moved parts/octaves around to make it sound like two tubas - and I agree, it's an amazing recording!

Scott Mendoker

UDELBR · Post by **UDELBR** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 1:57 am

JPNirschl wrote:Berlioz wrote it for Ophicleides originally. Tubas made it better.

Time for the annual flame war!

eupher61 · Post by **eupher61** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 12:43 pm

Scott M---

am I correct that it WAS you on that wonderful Chicago recording--not the one in Salzburg, but one recorded a few years later? (My copy is long lost...

) Whether it was you or Gene who told me that, I can't remember.

How was that NY show, playing it on the 2165s??? Did Sir George move the basses? C'mon, don't tell half the story!

scottmendoker · Post by **scottmendoker** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 9:57 am

I was VERY fortunate to be on that 1997 Symphonie Fantastique recording with the CSO and Barenboim. The ultra low pedal stuff is Gene on his old PT-10 F tuba!!! We listened to playbacks after every concert and both Gene and Barenboim were pleased with what they heard. I was just along for the ride - playing the 2nd part and trying hard not to screw up. The "flipside" of that CD is also a 2 tuba tune - with the CSO Chorus and Domingo: La Marseillaise. That was recorded on the Sunday of that week of concerts.
As far as the NY Phil/Masur bass section story, Masur had requested that the bass section remain were they were for the season. So, no, Solti did not move them from along the back wall.
Playing that tune on the 2165s was a lot of fun. And playing 2nd to either of those guys (Warren or Gene) was a dream come true. You played better because they were/are SO much better.....

Scott Mendoker