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This was something I was not aware of. I was looking through my copy of the New Tuba Source Book, and was looking through the pieces for tuba and orchestra. I noticed that on the John Williams Tuba Concerto it said, "Withdrawn by the composer from performance." So I guess that means that it is not available with orchestra?? Was anyone else aware of this?? I know this piece was gaining some popularity. I just thought that was interesting.

I'd heard he felt it was a weak piece. Curious to hear more if anyone's got details.

I've personally never really liked it as a composition. It's really too disjointed.

Hmmm...and how many of us have already paid $XX.00 for just the tuba and piano score...?

Tony Z. posted:

I've personally never really liked it as a composition. It's really too disjointed.

Perhaps so. It may be because of that disjointed nature that one particular performance of the concerto was noteworthy (sorry for the pun). A student of Floyd Cooley's (I'm sorry that I don't remember who) played the JW Concerto in a recital at DePaul University a few months ago with the performer's "own" cadenza. It consisted of snippets of JW's movie themes. Everyone in the audience, including Prof. Cooley, smiled upon hearing the familiar strains from Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars, etc.

Now THAT'S a great idea!

BUYP
(Bring up your post)

I would be interested in hearing more about this discussion. I have not studied the J Williams concerto yet, but have always had it on my long-term (before I am dead) to-do list. We have such little rep written for tuba, it would be a shame to let this one die.
I have heard a bootleg recording of Chester and liked the piece all right; I would love to hear what Doug Y or others have done with it.

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to play this piece with an orchestra last winter. As far as I can tell, they were able to rent the parts without incident.

As far as the "disjointed" nature of the work, I've had this conversation with several people. I've never met anyone (including myself) for whom this was an absolute deal breaker. We all appreciate large-scale formal unity when it happens, of course, but I don't think that it is the be all and end all for most people.

And just as a matter of personal taste, I greatly prefer this piece to Vaughan Williams. The conductor of this orchestra (who happens to be fairly accomplished as a composer also) agreed, which is why we chose JW over VW despite the fact that it meant a hell of a lot more work for both of us.

Stefan Kac wrote:And just as a matter of personal taste, I greatly prefer this piece to Vaughan Williams. The conductor of this orchestra (who happens to be fairly accomplished as a composer also) agreed, which is why we chose JW over VW despite the fact that it meant a hell of a lot more work for both of us.

It's inherent nature is why it was more work. Most certainly, I respect your tastes, but good music is just that. Good! I daresay that the second movement of VW is one of the most gorgeous pieces on the planet. JW can't even come close!