"Basses" to refer to tubas in old English wind band scores
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NATHouston
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"Basses" to refer to tubas in old English wind band scores
I've seen many old English wind band scores (I'm thinking of the Holst Suites, V. Williams Folk Song Suite, etc.) that refer to the tubas as "basses." Now, I know that in a British-style brass band, "basses" typically refers to a section of 2 B-flat tubas and 2 E-flat tubas (or something around that), and I always assumed that older wind band scores were originally orchestrated for a similar section. Does anyone have a source to confirm or deny my assumption? I've been looking for, for example, old concert programs which listed E-flat and B-flat bass players separately, or maybe just pictures of wind bands contemporary with Holst and Vaughn Williams in England. Please let me know that I've not the first person to think about this!
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GeoffC_UK
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Re: "Basses" to refer to tubas in old English wind band scores
I play and have played in British brass bands for most of my playing life.
The "basses" are the team of four: 2 x EEb, 2 x BBb - you are correct.
eg. EEb bass tuba = EEb bass.
The two tenor tubas (euphoniums) are in a team along with two baritone horns Bb, by the way.
In the last decade or so most people in the UK brass band scene refer to them, more, as "tubas" but rarely as "horns".
You may get a response to your request for historic evidence by posting here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/344526112344156
The "basses" are the team of four: 2 x EEb, 2 x BBb - you are correct.
eg. EEb bass tuba = EEb bass.
The two tenor tubas (euphoniums) are in a team along with two baritone horns Bb, by the way.
In the last decade or so most people in the UK brass band scene refer to them, more, as "tubas" but rarely as "horns".
You may get a response to your request for historic evidence by posting here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/344526112344156