TubeNet

The downloading frenzy going on at AcidPlanet for the Deck bootlegs (incredible btw, thank-you) got me thinking what recordings Mr Deck made over the years which really show him at his immense best?

I can start with the couple I have:

Symphony Fantastique; NY Phil under Mehta
(Decca 440 969-2) (I don't know if the number means anything, but it's on the CD)
This recorded 22nd November 1979 - I'm guessing it must be Deck from the huge tuba sound? Who'd be on the other part?

Highlights from "The Ring"; NW Phil again under Mehta
CBS Masterworks (MDK 44657)
This is a mix of recordings from 1980 - 1988 I think.
I remember when I first heard this I realised I'd never heard tuba playing like it (and I'd heard a few great players). Deck is awesome here.

The other recordings which show-off Mr Deck are the Canadian Brass collaborations. Big fat blocks of sound come from Deck. Nice.

What others should we (ok, I) look out for?

If you have the recording of the Berlioz where the tubas are in octaves, that would be Don Harry on 2nd tuba.

Chuck

There is a wonderful recording of him doing Prokofiev 5 with the NY Phil (Kurt Masur). Not to mention it has a Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet Suite (extracted from both suites No. 1 and 2). I really enjoy listening to this recording a lot...

Some of my favorites are the last recordings that the NY Phil did under Mehta. On the Teldec label:
Mahler #5
Sibelius #2
Holst - Planets
Stravinsky - Rite of Spring
All absolutely "life-changing"

Scott Mendoker

scottmendoker wrote:Some of my favorites are the last recordings that the NY Phil did under Mehta. On the Teldec label:
Mahler #5
Sibelius #2
Holst - Planets
Stravinsky - Rite of Spring
All absolutely "life-changing"

Scott Mendoker

Ditto to all of that Scott.
Also add to the list the following-

Copland 3/ DG
Tchaik Symphonies/ DG
Also Sprach/ DG
Wagner Overtures/ DG
Wagner Highlights/ Sony
Ein Heldenleben/ Sony
Shostakovich 7/ Teldec

Those just off the top of my head without looking at the cd collection.

I've also got some broadcast recordings from the 80's early 90's that are just ridiculous. Warren was the first orchestral player I listened to on recording and I was blown away to say the least. Truly inspiring. I remember Gene Pokorny even telling me in a lesson once "if Warren could not do it, it could not be done" or something like that when speaking of a low loud articulated passage from Planets.


Pete

I agree with Pete that Copland 3 is a must-hear. I also recommend the Pictures/Sinopoli, also on DG.

The Rite of Spring with Mehta is great also. Sam Pilafian is playing 2nd and they are both using 5/4 Hirsbrunner CC's. Very cool recording.

Tom McCaslin

Craig Knox wrote:I agree with Pete that Copland 3 is a must-hear. I also recommend the Pictures/Sinopoli, also on DG.

Right, how could I forget Pictures!

Also:

Mahler 2 and 3 w/ Bernstein DG
Respighi/ Sinopoli on DG


Unfortunetly other than the Prokofiev disc and the Shostakovich 7 the Masur recordings(in my humble opinion) did not do much justice for Warren because of the darn engineers and the maestro's sensitive ears. Which is ashame considering they recorded lots of great "tuba" pieces with him.

I've got acouple videos(now on DVD) from the late 80's w/ NYP and Metha and Levine doing Till, Tannhauser, Fanfare for Common Man, finale to Mahler 3 and Mahler 1. I believe these were all TV broadcasts. All of them equally filled w/ incredible Warren moments.

Pete

That Fanfare for the Common Man is unbelievable

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Xzf0rvQa4Mc

Has the 1st tuba part at the end of "Part 1" of Rite of Spring ever been played louder than on the Mehta Recording?

I also have a mini-disced Bruckner 8 that is incredible

A second vote for the Sibelius Symohony #2 under Mehta. Finlandia is also on that recording.

Jarrod wrote:That Fanfare for the Common Man is unbelievable

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Xzf0rvQa4Mc

Has the 1st tuba part at the end of "Part 1" of Rite of Spring ever been played louder than on the Mehta Recording?

I also have a mini-disced Bruckner 8 that is incredible

Is Harwood playing a contrabass trombone in that video?

I

Is Harwood playing a contrabass trombone in that video?

I

Pretty sure its just a bass trombone but with a C (D?) slide.

Tubainsauga wrote:

Is Harwood playing a contrabass trombone in that video?

I

Pretty sure its just a bass trombone but with a C (D?) slide.

You are probably right, I have never seen a contra part on that piece, but that was some heavy plumbing he was blowing, it cought my eye as odd.

I thought he always played an independent bass, which would seem to limit the need for a D slide. The horn just looked abnormally large.

I am trying to get recordings of the NYP under Mheta. Is there any possibility of someone who has these great recordings to copy them for a fee?

Thanks
Charles

BassBlatt wrote:I am trying to get recordings of the NYP under Mheta. Is there any possibility of someone who has these great recordings to copy them for a fee?

Thanks
Charles

You could always contact Arkiv Music (http://www.Arkivmusic.com) who do just that about adding to their catalogue.

Liberty Mo wrote:

Tubainsauga wrote:

Is Harwood playing a contrabass trombone in that video?

I

Pretty sure its just a bass trombone but with a C (D?) slide.

You are probably right, I have never seen a contra part on that piece, but that was some heavy plumbing he was blowing, it cought my eye as odd.

I thought he always played an independent bass, which would seem to limit the need for a D slide. The horn just looked abnormally large.

D and C slides are only for independent bass trombones, they let you play low Db, C, and B with only one valve engaged. It's useful if you need to play some of the lower stuff loud or cover the tuba part. The disadvantage is that it makes the horn quite heavy.

If you can find it, the Canadian Brass Spectacular VHS is amazing. Mr. Deck is playing Frankenstein. Plus you get the added bonus of Chester Schmitz. Also check out the Canadian Brass Cd's Red, White, and Brass and Brass Busters

Maybe not yours, not quite mine either, but try the soundtrack to Koyanisqaatsi (whatever). Amid all the minimalist twitterings are Messrs. Deck and Pilafian doing some particularly wicked tuba work. Almost inhuman at times, especially the movement with the extended cello, the 3rd or 4th cut.

Mr. Copeland really missed a good opportunity to have an almost perfect piece with Common Man.The last chord just really makes me unhappy...

...

Mr. Copeland really missed a good opportunity to have an almost perfect piece with Common Man.The last chord just really makes me unhappy

No kidding. I just double the bass trombone, if I can get away with it. Sometimes the conductor doesn't even notice.