review: 1954

[Chadtuba]

Very neat. Thanks Bloke.

[toobagrowl]

Very interesting review.....kinda harsh though.

I think Mr. Catelinet did an excellent job on the premiere - Found on YouTube:

1st mvmnt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbCQJMi8 ... re=related" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

2nd mvmnt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXlc4nfC ... re=related" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

3rd mvmnt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAdwho5I ... re=related" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Keep in mind this is THE live premiere of the piece - no digital enhancements or editing - the real deal!

Different sound concept and style - smaller sound, less round, more "raspy", and a more staccato style. But very well done, IMO.

[EdFirth]

I've never been fond of the piece... until now. To me, the evolotionary changes over the years although pretty, take away from the stylistic way he plays it. It matches the articulation of the orchestra but sings through because it's the melody. And the slower tempos make it all work better to my ear. And Mr Catlinet was one fine musician and tuba player. Does anyone know whether he was playing on an Eb or was it an F? Thanks for posting it! Ed

[EdFirth]

Thanks Hal, that was a great read. Ed

[jmerring]

I realize that MANY 'professional' tubists dislike the composition. Think back to your roots; would you not have been astounded that the horn could ever sound this way, when you were young?

I could only have hoped to play on this level - ever! The work was groundbreaking and remarkable. My experience with it never progressed past a recital in 1971 (poorly attended, bad acoustics and a nervous-as-hell performer), which was mandatory for my senior recital (OK, I had a choice of this or another that was much too difficult for me and the accompanist). My performance was acceptable on a 186 (BBb) and got good marks for the low Eb and F's, as well as the 2nd movement's cadenza).

I should point out that, on my first lesson (FIRST LESSON, ever) in college, when I saw that the music for an etude went up to middle C, my reaction was that the horn could not ever play that high.....boy, was I wrong.

Just my idea of a reality check. Take it for what it's worth...um, for the spirit in which it is given.

[Rick Denney]

I have the recording made in the "studio" the day after the live premiere. Yes, it's a different playing style, but it is also a different performing standard. A post-prime Bill Bell played the U.S. premiere in 1954 or 1955 with The Little Orchestra of New York, and I have that recording, too. The performing standard is higher, but still not where we would expect in modern times. But the musical interpretation was far, far better. Bell captured the fun of the piece, where Catelinet (and many who have followed him) did not.

It seems to me that tuba playing in the UK took a big step in the post-war period. Early in that period, money was tight and the country was in a rebuilding mode--the war was far more destructive for them than for us. Orchestras where making do in a lot of ways. Even so, it seems quite a big step from Catelinet to Fletcher in just a dozen years or so.

Rick "noting that Catelinet was a fine musician but not first a tuba player" Denney

[AHynds]

Here's an interesting bit of back story for the premiere, purportedly from the ITEA Journal. It's impossible to know how much of this is exaggerated or mis-remembered, but it's still an interesting read.

http://www.philipcatelinet.com/Biograph ... truth.html

[ckalaher1]

Considering he was playing with a stylistic blank slate in terms of historical interpretation, I give kudos to Mr. Catelinet. He was surely a fine player.

[toobagrowl]

nevermind

[toobagrowl]

Considering he was playing with a stylistic blank slate in terms of historical interpretation, I give kudos to Mr. Catelinet. He was surely a fine player.

+1