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Prokofieff Symphony No. 5
Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 12:23 pm
by jeopardymaster
After years of focusing on my day job, I just finished my first season with a local orchestra. There hasn't been much verbal feedback, but Prok 5 has been programmed for next season, so it seems the consensus may be positive.
I've played through excerpts in the past, and listened to it (YEOW), but have never actually played it. I'm looking for a copy of the part, to get up to speed. Any help out there?
Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 12:34 pm
by BVD Press
I think it is out of print, but there was a Torchinsky Prokofiev book a while back. You might find one at a local music store or a friend might have a copy. Good luck. It is a great part!
Great site
Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 1:26 pm
by jeopardymaster
Outstanding. Thanks!
Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 2:03 pm
by Tim Olt
Hey,
Drop me an email at
TubaMan246@aol.com and you can borrow my Prokofiev excerpt book. I'm just a ways up the road.
Tim
Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 12:20 am
by MikeMason
It's a very serious part that you need to be in top shape for,especially your low register.
Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 4:58 am
by adam0408
yeah man, don't screw it up.
haha just kidding. You will no doubt play it beautifully. (probably better than I can play it) A bucket mouthpiece is probably in order. There is good support from other sections on the low and tough stuff (for the most part) so it shouldn't be that scary when played with full orchestra.
Good luck man, I wish I was playing prokofiev next season.
Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 4:42 pm
by MikeMason
Although some conductors do want it too slow...
Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 7:34 pm
by Wyvern
Prokofiev really knew what he was doing writing for the tuba. Symphony No.5 is great to play! Listen to some recordings and get inspired.

Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 9:55 pm
by eupher61
http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/alb ... _id=146855
This is the 1984 or so St Louis recording, Grammy winner, out of print except for this. I'm not familiar with this company, so I'm not endorsing anything except what it claims to be. My copy of the original is vanished, unfortunately, but it was RCA 5035. If you can find it in a library, it's a MUST listen. GP simply rocks the house, in ways only a wonderfully played tuba can.
Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 5:12 pm
by Evil Ronnie
Bob1062 wrote:The CD I listened to (library CD!) is the CSO in 1995-ish.
Is this a Gene Pokorny/York collaboration?

The CSO released Prokofiev's 1st and 5th conducted by James Levine in 1994.
Tuben is correct in saying that Archivmusic is a great source for out of print recordings. I recently picked this Archivmusic re-issue up, along with some others by Reiner/CSO. Needless to say the brass playing will drive you right out of your mind.
I still prefer the 1987 Rostropovich/ National Orchestra of France recording. Those frogs do a fine job. Too bad Rostropovich passed away a few months back as he was scheduled to do the 5th with the CSO this season coming up.
(Pokorny spent the '92-'03 season with LA.)

Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 5:52 pm
by Mark
Bob1062 wrote:On a side note, are most of the Prokofiev works NOT public domain? I just received the Gordon Cherry CD ,and the only thing on there is the 1st Piano concerto.
Most of Prokofiev's works are still under copyright and are not public domain.
Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 9:48 pm
by Alex C
I was told by a reliable source that Prokofiev did not actually like scoring and turned the job over to others including some guy named Lebedev, which might be part of the reason there are such marvelous tuba parts.
Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 10:20 pm
by punktuba
Yasuhito Sugiyama used his handmade Fafner BBb on Prok 5 in Cleveland last season and it was a perfect fit. I cant really imagine a better tuba for this piece. Of course the player didnt hurt either.
Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:18 am
by MikeMason
You need to finish one of your holtons and sell it to him...
Post mortem
Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 3:15 pm
by jeopardymaster
Closing out the old thread. The Prok 5 performance was postponed back in early March due to a severe snowstorm. Finally played it last weekend. Due to the reschedule, about 25 people had to be replaced and the subs only got one rehearsal.
Acting on Bloke's suggestion, I switched to my 186 instead of using the Neptune. So much easier on BBb. But at the hall I discovered I'd accidentally left my Helleberg at home. All I had was my Wick 3L.
Somehow it all worked anyway, amazingly. It could have been soooo ugly. Man, that tune is fun to play!
ZNC Dandy made it to the concert but we couldn't connect afterward. At any rate, thanks, Bob1062, for posting the part. Having that, particularly with all those typos corrected, was huge!