Good rep for tuba and strings?
Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 4:57 pm
Hi. I have an opportunity to perform as a soloist with a solid string orchestra locally, and I'd love to get some ideas about what's out there that is worth looking at.
Difficulty isn't a problem. This is a pro group with the time, resources, and talent to play pretty much whatever I throw at them.
Here are my own criteria for finding the right thing to play, though:
1. Musical interest. Not to start a big discussion or anything, but I want to avoid tuba-jock stuff - the audience will be a lot of Brooklyn hipsters and classical music junkies. John Williams and John Stevens just won't fly.
2. My own tastes and proclivities tend towards the avant-garde, and I improvise a lot, and I was a big punk rock type growing up. So genre bending, dissonance, etc. are welcome and encouraged. Or really convincing lyricism, because I do love the pretty.
3. Nothing that lives above the staff for half an hour. I have a good solid high range and a CC tuba. I don't fear the high Gs, but I don't want to end the night with a bunch of wrong notes and pooped chops (another "not to start a big discussion or anything" point here - I have the right horn to play a big concerto, because it's in my hands. I can take care of the technical and musical demands and don't need a little F, thanks).
4. I talk too much and I'm way too opinionated, so just suggest some pieces to look into to perform with this string orchestra and I'll be very grateful. This post is way too long, so don't read it!
Difficulty isn't a problem. This is a pro group with the time, resources, and talent to play pretty much whatever I throw at them.
Here are my own criteria for finding the right thing to play, though:
1. Musical interest. Not to start a big discussion or anything, but I want to avoid tuba-jock stuff - the audience will be a lot of Brooklyn hipsters and classical music junkies. John Williams and John Stevens just won't fly.
2. My own tastes and proclivities tend towards the avant-garde, and I improvise a lot, and I was a big punk rock type growing up. So genre bending, dissonance, etc. are welcome and encouraged. Or really convincing lyricism, because I do love the pretty.
3. Nothing that lives above the staff for half an hour. I have a good solid high range and a CC tuba. I don't fear the high Gs, but I don't want to end the night with a bunch of wrong notes and pooped chops (another "not to start a big discussion or anything" point here - I have the right horn to play a big concerto, because it's in my hands. I can take care of the technical and musical demands and don't need a little F, thanks).
4. I talk too much and I'm way too opinionated, so just suggest some pieces to look into to perform with this string orchestra and I'll be very grateful. This post is way too long, so don't read it!