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There is a tuba solo in Carmina Burana: a single, loud, exposed G-flat (middle of the staff), right before the men shout, "Wafna!" You'll have to do some digging to find out the translation of that word...it's not for G-rated audiences.

There is also a slightly less dramatic solo 2 note "fill" in either No. 12, 13, or 14 (somewhere in there).

All in all, I have found it a fun part to play.

Even on some libretti, the translation doesn't appear; the word "Wafna" is repeated in the English column. Other translations use the tame word, "woe."

Mr. Chisham may not appreciate this. But the rough translation of Wafna! is an indeterminate colorful expletive.

It is immediately followed by a tavern/drinking song.

And Carmina Burana is based upon the writings of medieval monks!

Steve Marcus wrote:There is a tuba solo in Carmina Burana: a single, loud, exposed G-flat (middle of the staff), right before the men shout, "Wafna!" You'll have to do some digging to find out the translation of that word...it's not for G-rated audiences.

Why is it always a Gb? Absolutely the worst note on my of my tubas (i.e., the worst note in my head). It's always a Gb.

There is also a lick in the last or next-to-last movement where the tuba plays a loud D-A-D-A-D arpeggio, followed by an E on the staff to E above the staff to E below the staff octave jump. It's not as hard as the exposed Gb, but for hobbyists like me it's a worthy objective.

Rick "noting that most of the important excerpts from Carmina Burana are in the 20th-Century Orchestral Exerpts book now long out of print, but possibly in the nearest college music library" Denney

Steve Marcus wrote: And Carmina Burana is based upon the writings of medieval monks!

Monks, yes, but by 1300, most of them defrocked. By and large, drunken unruly college kids. Sound familiar?