TubeNet

(who really doesn't care, is just making an observation... honestly, I'd rather listen to cats fighting than a solo tuba CD)

Amen, Brother.


Chuck

tuben wrote:So over the past few years I've noticed a trend.... There seems to be a 'hot solo player of the now' who is mentioned a lot and then fades off....

Examples;
Bobo
Porkorny
Perantoni

I'm not sure Pokorny and Perantoni were ever regarded primarily as the "hot solo player of the now". Both have produced successful solo albums, but that is not the focus of either of their careers. Both have always been much better known for other successes, primarily orchestral playing for Pokorny and studio teaching for Perantoni (plus of course the Perantucci tubas and mouthpieces).

I also don't think Bobo has ever been the "hot solo player of the now." While he wasn't the first pioneer of the tuba as a solo instrument, he was the dominant one. No one ever has, or ever will, contribute as much as he did to the promotion of tuba as a solo instrument. Plus, even after all these years, his performances are still pretty much the standard by which everybody else is judged.

I've got no disagreements with anything else in topic. And I tend to agree that there is lots I would rather listen to than solo tuba CDs. I think the primary market for them always has been younger, developing players - for whom the recordings are pretty useful.

tuben wrote:honestly, I'd rather listen to cats fighting than a solo tuba CD

That is a strange remark for a tuba player! To work at playing any musical instrument well, you have got to love its sound. So how can you so dislike listening to a solo tuba CD?

I admit, I find listening to a whole CD (in one session) of any solo instrument rather repetitive - generally preferring orchestral CDs for the tonal variety - but solo tuba CDs can also be inspiring to improve ones own playing.

tuben wrote:Easy, because the 'soloistic' tuba sound grates on my spine like nails on a chalkboard. What's more, with a scant few exceptions (Hindemith), there are very few original works for tuba I enjoy. When I was developing my concept of tuba sound, it was by listening to great orchestral recordings of; Schmitz, Jacobs, Torchinsky, Deck, Bishop, Cooley, NOT from listening to Bobo solo CD's or any other solo tuba recordings. In my mind, the rich orchestral sound of the men mentioned is all the tuba tone production inspiration I need.

Sad to say, but I'm with Robert on this one. I find things like Tuba/Euph quartets and Encounters II interesting novelties but not something I would want to listen to for enjoyment or inspiration.

tuben wrote: Kelly O'Bryant
Steve Skyes

Is it bad if I don't know who these people are? No offense to Steve or Kelly, as they're probably a zillion times better known and better players than me. I'd like to know who they are, as I'm always up for hearing different people.

I have no beef with solo tuba CDs; I don't really mind listening to any solo instrument (the clarinet and the oboe are probably my least favorite, though). I think all musicians looking to get good should listen to all musicians who are good. If you don't emulate them, you haven't really lost anything by listening.

As for the next hot player, I submit the following name: Mike Blair. I'll be his manager.

I think its funny that some of the people that have said they don't like Tuba Solo have mentioned Bobo..... I think its funny because I dislike Bobo! (flame away) I cannot listen to his tone.. technique sure, but i cant stand his sound. Now listening to the Baadsvik Cd's or Sheriden or Pokorny... just love 'em. Its that Deep orchestral sound but playing some ludicrously hard licks. I just dig that a lot.

(edited for too strong language... it was late, didn't mean it )

I'm with Robert on this one too, in part.

I don't mind listening to a solo tuba CD, as long as its not music written for the tuba. There are very few pieces that have been written specifically for the tuba that are worth a damn. There is soooo much great music out there, why not play that? The VW Oboe Concerto vs. VW Tuba Concerto is a great point. Although the 2nd movement of the Tuba Concerto is gorgeous. I love and adore the sound of the tuba, but it would be great for a composer to actually write a piece of music to let it shine musically in its most beautiful tessitura.

Just to clear up any confusion, I happen to be the next big thing in solo tuba.

Kyle

tuben wrote:Easy, because the 'soloistic' tuba sound grates on my spine like nails on a chalkboard. What's more, with a scant few exceptions (Hindemith), there are very few original works for tuba I enjoy. When I was developing my concept of tuba sound, it was by listening to great orchestral recordings of; Schmitz, Jacobs, Torchinsky, Deck, Bishop, Cooley, NOT from listening to Bobo solo CD's or any other solo tuba recordings. In my mind, the rich orchestral sound of the men mentioned is all the tuba tone production inspiration I need.

Robert, I wonder if it is in fact that you just enjoy the richer sound of the contrabass in its more natural range which I quite understand. OK - hand up, I do too

Although Bobo is a great technical player, I personally do not like his tone - it is not what I think of as an ideal tuba sound.


For the next "hot" player, I nominate the Czech tubist, Pavel Bures who plays with the group Blaskapelle Gloria. I saw him while on holiday in Austria earlier this year, and he is really incredible. Not only is he the most technically gifted tubist I have ever heard, but he really projects through the band with a good rich tone (maybe because he also plays in an opera orchestra?). If he played at a tuba conference, I think he would overnight become a big star in the tuba world!

My biggest issue with solo Cd's is the way they playback, I think that they

1) do not capture the sound of the tuba very well

2) are too easily adjusted by messing with the sound levels (I've had some fun with this one.....)

Now going to see one of the aforementioned artists live, now there's a treat.

How in the universe has no one mentioned Oystein Baadsvik?! He was featured at 3 different concerts at the last ITEC as well as numerous forums. I recently went to a recital he that gave at the University of Texas and there were hundreds of people...FOR A TUBA RECITAL!!! I'm talking people who drove over 200 miles just to hear him! Not to mention that he is, to the best of my knowledge, the only one among us who actually makes a real living as a soloist without having to do anything else to supplement income (teaching/orchestra/quintet/etc.).

*deep breath*

...Baadsvik gets my vote.

To all of the Bobo haters out there, we would be nowhere without him. We all need to know where we came from in order to know where we're going. Sure, his playing style back then is not in vogue today, but I continuously refer to him in my teaching because of one great aspect of those recordings that few of us achieve today, his clarity. Students sometimes today are trying to get the biggest sound out of the biggest equipment, leaving clarity in it's wake. In one lesson recently, we compared a recording of Bobo and a more recent player playing the same piece. Maybe the newer recording wasn't miked/mixed well, and the player had technique to spare, but couldn't approach the clarity of good old Roger.

Ooops...

...well...he still gets my vote!

The word "hate" is a little harsh and some of the language I've read above may be equally damning. This isn't a flame by any means, I just hope this board is still up 5 - 10 years from now and some of these posters look back and have a chuckle (and probably a wince or two). I know I'm constantly looking back at some of the foot sandwiches I've enjoyed in my more youthful years and I've wished I could turn back the clock and unsay a few things.

Just a thought for those out there with similar ideas that they feel must be said.

Neptune wrote:For the next "hot" player, I nominate the Czech tubist, Pavel Bures who plays with the group Blaskapelle Gloria. I saw him while on holiday in Austria earlier this year, and he is really incredible. Not only is he the most technically gifted tubist I have ever heard, but he really projects through the band with a good rich tone (maybe because he also plays in an opera orchestra?). If he played at a tuba conference, I think he would overnight become a big star in the tuba world!

Clearly, he's out standing in his field

I apologize if my estimate seems too high (I'm not really great at estimating crowd number)...but the fact remains, there were more people at that recital than any other that I've ever been to (with the obvious exception being at ITEC where everyone goes to everything).

tuben wrote:

Biggs wrote: I don't really mind listening to any solo instrument (the clarinet and the oboe are probably my least favorite, though).

Hmm..... Do yourself a favor and listen to the Vaughn-Williams Oboe Concerto and then kick yourself (and wish you could kick VW) for giving us the tuba concerto.

VW Oboe Concerto - Polished Jade
VW Tuba Concerto - Alley Cat

RC

I've always thought that the VW Concerto is one of those pieces that is ALMOST 'there'. If he could have done a second and third Tuba Concerti... (sigh)

In the book about John Fletcher, an article he wrote about tuba solos echoes many of the posts in this thread. I also have about zero interest in listening to tuba solos. Shocker: the tuba is not really a solo instrument.

Yeah, play the hell of of the challenging licks and solo passages when you get 'em, but our primary mission is to provide a bass voice to an ensemble. You can sound great and be noticed without being the center of attention (or so I've been told ).

Eric "who thinks the purpose of many of the above-mentioned works is fodder for college recitals" L.