Who Knew? Some Great Grieg! A Must Have

[Chuck Jackson]

When a tuba player thinks of Grieg, they generally moan because of having to sit around for three movements before getting to "In the Hall of the Mountain King" in Peer Gynt Suite #1 and playing ooms to the orchestras pahs. I need to share this recording with everyone not only for it's wonderful music, but for THE BEST tuba playing in the "cash register" I have heard in 25 years.

This is a DG recording from May of 1986 of the Gotherburg S.O. with Neeme Jarvi conducting (DG Stereo 419 432-2). I purchased a used copy on Amazon for $4.59. On it you will find three Grieg works with very meaty tuba parts. They are:

1. Norwegian Dances
2. Lyric Suite
3. Symphonic Dances

The music is wonderful, a mixture of Brahms and Dvorak, but thoroughly Grieg in its use of Norwegian folk tunes. There are some good blows in all of the pieces. Whoever the tuba player might be, he/she is astounding. Big meaty sound, yet incredibly centered and lacking the "woofiness" I hear on recordings these days, perfectly in time, and perfectly in tune. While very present, it is never OVER-BEARING. If a young person wants to know how a GOOD MUSICIAN who happens to play the tuba sounds, and wants to emulate the same, this is the guy. I rank it as one of the best sounds on a recording along side the tuba player for the Klemperor/Philharmonia recordings, Bobo's later work with the LAPO, and Chester Roberts performance of Prokofiev's 5th on the 1959 Cleveland/Szell entry.

Happy Listening.

[tubaerik]

I am from Gothenburg, so this is my change to contribute.

Even though I haven't heard or know anything about this particular recording, the tubist was probably Morten Agerup who joined the orchestra 1981 and still plays there. He is from Norway (as many other tubists in Sweden), so he probably enjoys the music of Grieg.

I don't think he has made any solo recordings, but if you wanna hear him play, take a trip to the lovely city of Gothenburg.

http://www.gso.se" target="_blank

[Wyvern]

Thanks for highlighting Chuck - sounds interesting!

Jonathan "who has just ordered a copy" Hodgetts

[tubapress]

Absolutely! This has been a gem in my collection for many years! Everything Chuck said is true! This one truly belongs in every tuba player's collection. I played the Symphonic Dances a few years ago and Mr. Agerup's was the sound I could not help but try to emulate.

When a tuba player thinks of Grieg, they generally moan because of having to sit around for three movements before getting to "In the Hall of the Mountain King" in Peer Gynt Suite #1 and playing ooms to the orchestras pahs. I need to share this recording with everyone not only for it's wonderful music, but for THE BEST tuba playing in the "cash register" I have heard in 25 years.

This is a DG recording from May of 1986 of the Gotherburg S.O. with Neeme Jarvi conducting (DG Stereo 419 432-2). I purchased a used copy on Amazon for $4.59. On it you will find three Grieg works with very meaty tuba parts. They are:

1. Norwegian Dances
2. Lyric Suite
3. Symphonic Dances

The music is wonderful, a mixture of Brahms and Dvorak, but thoroughly Grieg in its use of Norwegian folk tunes. There are some good blows in all of the pieces. Whoever the tuba player might be, he/she is astounding. Big meaty sound, yet incredibly centered and lacking the "woofiness" I hear on recordings these days, perfectly in time, and perfectly in tune. While very present, it is never OVER-BEARING. If a young person wants to know how a GOOD MUSICIAN who happens to play the tuba sounds, and wants to emulate the same, this is the guy. I rank it as one of the best sounds on a recording along side the tuba player for the Klemperor/Philharmonia recordings, Bobo's later work with the LAPO, and Chester Roberts performance of Prokofiev's 5th on the 1959 Cleveland/Szell entry.

Happy Listening.

[Wyvern]

I have just received this CD and am much enjoying - thanks!

The Symphonic Dances are particularly good. Makes one wonder why these are not performed more?