Das Rheingold

[Ian1]

I remember the reduced Ring Cycle well... We have gone on to perform the full length operas for the past 4 years and are performing the entire Ring next year (3 times!). Amazing music. Glad you are enjoying it.

http://www.lfo.org.uk/" target="_blank

I started rehearsing the Stockhausen mid Wagner and It's the toughest thing I've done for years. Have travelled to Cologne to rehearse. I'll try to upload the part. 39 cues from memory all timed to the second with an electronic backing. It's in a suspended chair that is moved up and down whilst playing. I can't give too much away but It's a really exciting project.

All the best,

Ian

[eupher61]

The stage floor above the pit is about 8'. Add to that (well, subtract) the 8" joists, I'm playing in a room about 7 1/2' high.

There are a couple of licks that just don't speak on the Martin BBb in that situation, like the Spear motif (starting on top space G, I think it was cbtrombone originally...) and even the Dragon motif, the G's don't want to speak for me. Combining that with the air that the Martin needs for the low Eb's, well, it's making sense to have the F there too. So, I'm playing the opening low Eb, the Dragon, and that Spear statement on F, euphonium on the bass trumpet parts, and BBb on everything else. It worked well tonight, the other brass players noticed it and approved. The conductor, good as he is, has other concerns I'm sure, so he didn't say anything. What a PITA to carry all that, plus my tuba rest.

Oh, both the tubas are pointing at about a 45º angle or less, just to get more resonance without the backlash the ceiling causes. The keyboard player next to me doesn't really appreciate it, but that's her problem.

This really is terrific. I can't find any indication that any of The Ring has been done in St Louis before this. I could be wrong on that, but certainly not for a long time. These singers on stage are doing in with orchestra, in German, and really are quite good. A great resume' builder for them, especially. I can't wait for Die Walkure!!!

[eupher61]

Hey, Ian....are the other 3 similar in scope to Rheingold? big tuba, doubling bass trumpet? With some cb trombone stuff thrown in for good measure? How is The Ride?

[Rick Denney]

Sorta makes sense to me that the big horn would work. I find I can play my Holton as softly as my F (maybe not on that in-the-staff G, though), but it retains the depth of sound. That depth will add bottom to the reduced ensemble and make it sound bigger. The big tuba might actually be more important in this situation than with a full orchestra.

So, did the orchestra end up paying you for the double?

Rick "who played Barnum! in an abbreviated pit orchestra (for school-aged singers) and used the big tuba" Denney

[eupher61]

Rick, BBb and F tubas do not constitute a double. Euphonium does. So, yes, I'm getting doubler pay.
I really feel the issue is the ceiling height. Anywhere else, that G is easy, on either tuba. It's not bad enough to make me not want the gig, by any means. The company is doing great stuff, and always with orchestra. That doesn't happen in most local opera companies.

[eupher61]

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