Which tuba for Mahler 6?

[Wyvern]

I have Mahler Symphony No.6 coming up in a couple months and am currently considering if to play it on my Eb, or 6/4 CC.

The part is labelled "Basstuba" which would indicate the Eb, but on playing through the part, I think it generally sounds better on the CC which would also balance the enlarged brass section more easily in the tuttis.

I just wonder what others think

[cambrook]

We've just played Mahler 6 and I used my Rudy 5/4, mainly because I just love the sound of it. I'm still waiting for my new bass tuba to arrive, so my other choice was a Hirsbrunner HB2P, which doesn't have the presence. That said, there were times due to the conductor's view of the piece where I wondered if a smaller tuba might have been useful.
I've played M6 quite a few times, and this time I had to play down a lot more than for previous conductors (except for the big fff sections).

I've wondered how much weight should be given to Mahler's indications for Bass tuba vs Contrabass tuba. There are often different versions of his symphonies, and he is known for being fastidious about some things and revising them many times, but other editing details are not considered.

In summary, unless you've got a small orchestra (hard to imagine for M6) I'd definitely use the big CC for the sound quality.

Have fun!

[Dave Y]

I did Mahler 6 two years ago with my university. In trying to understand why it is marked 'basstuba,' both the conductors and the music history faculty assured me that Mahler definately intended this to be on a BBb or CC tuba. As tubists we assume that editors know the difference between bass and contrbass tuba, but most simply don't, and many assume basstuba indicates a larger instrument.

This is just my experience and gained knowledge. I'd like to hear if anyone has other info on this.

[ZNC Dandy]

I would go with the 6/4 CC you're going to need it in the last movement for the "Hammer Blow" Sections and there are some real sections where you want to be felt as well as heard. Its a ton of fun to play, plus the solo at the beginning of the 4th movement sounds awesome on the contrabass horn.

[Mark E. Chachich]

Use the tuba (one that you have) that goes best with your section and orchestra. Every group and every conductor are different.

Remember, the trombones that you see sitting next to you are different then the trombones that Mahler knew. Furthermore, even the string section sounds different, now that most string players use metal strings instead of gut (I have played both metal and gut on my string bass and there is a big difference in sound).

Most of all, have fun with a great piece of music!

Mark

[windshieldbug]

As Mark said, it depends. Using YOUR knowledge of how things are, pick the one you think mose appropriate for the first rehearsal, and go from there.

I wouldn't worry about the part indication, because, as Mark says, the orchestra has changed quite a bit over the years. Would you then NOT play if you were given a Berlioz part specifying ophicleide, since you don't have one?

Balance the ensemble. Pick one, use your ears, and if you feel that the other horn would better, use that one.

As a musician, use your ears, eyes, (yes, I know that I'm weak, but I LOOK) and your brain. If all you had to do was reproduce music, a CD would be more accurate, and consistant over and over again. And if it HAD to be right the first time, there'd be no rehearsal!

[Wyvern]

Thanks for all the feedback!

I had 95% decided to use my Neptune 6/4 CC because I love the rich sound, but felt a bit guilty about not following the "Basstuba" marking which was the reason for my post.

However, thanks to your uniform endorsement, I now feel quite happy playing my big tuba in this great music!

[Wyvern]

Well I used my Neptune at rehearsal playing the last movement for the first time this evening.

In response to my solo at the beginning of the movement the conductor commented "delightful" with a big smile, so I think an endorsement for using the big tuba.

What a tremendous piece it is to play!