Torchinsky or Krzywicki?

in that recording
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Steve Marcus
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Torchinsky or Krzywicki?

Post by Steve Marcus »

Now that my 4-channel reel-to-reel deck is working again, I listened to the RCA discrete quadraphonic surround sound recording from the early 1970's of Ormandy/Philadelphia Orchestra/Mendelssohn Club performing Alexander Nevsky. What an experience! For a performing musician, this type of recording makes sense. For those who listen to live music primarily from the audience, this is probably disconcerting (pun intended).

The tuba is in the left rear channel, just as you would hear it if you were a member of the orchestra. In fact, the miking is so close due to the multi-channel recording technique used, it sounds as if the tuba is sitting right next to you. The tuba's tone is wonderfully thick and full, appropriate for Prokofiev.

Was this Abe Torchinsky or Paul Krzywicki? For extra credit, what horn was he using (Paul owned three 3050's at one time)?
Last edited by Steve Marcus on Tue May 01, 2012 7:29 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Torchinsky or Kryzwicki?

Post by toobagrowl »

It was recorded on February, 1975.
http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/alb ... _id=208066
So that means it was Krzywicki on tuba since he was principal tuba with Philly from 1972 - 2005.
http://www.curtis.edu/faculty/faculty-b ... wicki.html

I think Krzywicki played on various tubas during that time including a Cerveny "Piggy" CC, Hirsbrunner 4/4 rotary CC and maybe the M-W "Bill Bell" model CC !??
Someone with more info should post :idea:
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Re: Torchinsky or Krzywicki?

Post by hbcrandy »

1975 would definitely have been Paul Krzywicki. I began studying with Paul in 1977. At that time Paul was using his large, Hirsbrunner CC tuba with the orchestra. He had and occasionally played with the orchestra his Walter Sear/Cerveny Kaiser CC tuba. The Piggy was used mainly for quintet work. His Meinl Weston was before I knew him. However, I heard that it was not the Bill Bell CC tuba.

You have a great recording. No orchestra could play Prokofiev like Ormandy and Phildelphia.
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Re: Torchinsky or Krzywicki?

Post by tubapress »

Yes, 1975 would have definitely been Paul. I believe he played a yellow brass Hirsbrunner 5/4 CC. It was a wonderful sound..the first sound I tried to emulate as a kid. His sense of musicianship, balance and the tuba's role in any given piece was really inspiring to me.
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