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I watching the New Year's Day concert 'live' from Vienna with the Philharmonic on TV this morning (is this broadcast in the US?). I noted that Walter Hilgers was (for the first time?) the tubist. Not over much for him to play, except appeared to be a decent part in Matrosen Polka by Josef Strauss during which the cameras showed three close ups of the tuba.

I generally listen to this concert each year and notice that most of the works with tuba are by Josef Strauss and not one his brothers, which I find interesting - I wonder why?

I guess Herr Hilgers was playing one of his Melton F tubas (silver plated with gold ornamentation), but could not identify.

A Happy New Year everyone!

MikeMiller wrote:I only noticed one woman in the entire orchestra. She was not playing tuba.

I spotted two young women in the orchestra - both on strings!

They did mention in the commentary that musicians have to play for three years in the opera orchestra, before being admitted to the Vienna Philharmonic - that is some probation period!

Watching poor Herr Hilgers sit for number after number reminds me of two things: #1-He must be laughing all the way to the bank, getting principal wages and playing only a couple of pieces and #2-Money or not, that's not for me, sitting while others play!

..plus the wonderful Ian Bousfield on principal trombone, who, as a young lad, played with us in the Hanwell Brass Band in West London, when he moved down from Yorkshire Imperial Band in the North.

http://www.euph9.freeserve.co.uk/Hsb.htm

CB