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Hello everyone,

I'm currently looking for a new concerto to work on but it seems like the majority of Tuba Concertos "require" an F tuba... and I use that word lightly as I realize that it is completely possible for one to play the Gregson on a larger horn.

I'm am currently playing on a Miraphone 186 BBb and I thought I'd see if anyone knew of any Concertos that work on larger horns.

Does anyone have some suggestions?

Thanks,
Troy

ok. thanks a lot

The Broughton Sonata/Concerto is a work that can be performed equally well on either the bass tuba or contrabass tuba, (and it's a great piece, on top of that).

John Stevens' Journey, as mentioned before, is written specifically for the contrabass tuba. It's a hoss to play, but a great work.

does anyone have or know of a recording of the John Stevens Journey?

Troy wrote:does anyone have or know of a recording of the John Stevens Journey?

You won't find one. Gene Porkony performed it with the University of Wisconsin symphony about a decade ago but there was only a "bootleg" recording available. There are no commercially available recordings of it available.

Troy wrote:I'm currently looking for a new concerto to work on but it seems like the majority of Tuba Concertos "require" an F tuba... and I use that word lightly as I realize that it is completely possible for one to play the Gregson on a larger horn.

Observe that Pokorny just played the Vaughn-Williams on a BBb tuba (the CSO York). The little snippet that's on the web sounded great; rumor has it that a complete recording will be downloadable in a few weeks. Search this forum for details.

Obviously, just because Pokorny can do it, doesn't mean that it is a good idea for others, or that everyone should even try it. But it's an existence proof.

The Lebedev Concerto in one movement is an excellent piece for larger tubas.

elihellsten wrote:The Lebedev Concerto in one movement is an excellent piece for larger tubas.

I actually started looking into the lebedev concerto about a week ago.. I think I'll give it a shot.

Thanks to all who contributed

Troy

elihellsten wrote:The Lebedev Concerto in one movement is an excellent piece for larger tubas.

I actually started looking into the lebedev concerto about a week ago.. I think I'll give it a shot.

Thanks to all who contributed

Troy

ralphbsz wrote:

Troy wrote:I'm currently looking for a new concerto to work on but it seems like the majority of Tuba Concertos "require" an F tuba... and I use that word lightly as I realize that it is completely possible for one to play the Gregson on a larger horn.

Observe that Pokorny just played the Vaughn-Williams on a BBb tuba (the CSO York). The little snippet that's on the web sounded great; rumor has it that a complete recording will be downloadable in a few weeks. Search this forum for details.

Obviously, just because Pokorny can do it, doesn't mean that it is a good idea for others, or that everyone should even try it. But it's an existence proof.

Almost 100% certain that the CSO york is in CC, just for clarification

Sorry ... I should have known, or at least checked, but didn't put my brain in gear. Yet it is very different from an F tuba.

It seems reasonable to me that if you have run out of concertos to prepare for the contrabass tuba it's long past time for you to acquire a bass tuba.

sloan wrote:It seems reasonable to me that if you have run out of concertos to prepare for the contrabass tuba it's long past time for you to acquire a bass tuba.

Great point.. however the issue is mainly a monetary one when i can afford a bass i will buy one

I don't know if it bothers you that the work isn't written for the tuba, but the Grøndahl Concerto for Trombone (played an octave lower) came off very well on my CC last year. I can't imagine it being too much of a problem on BBb.

fenne1ca wrote:I don't know if it bothers you that the work isn't written for the tuba, but the Grøndahl Concerto for Trombone (played an octave lower) came off very well on my CC last year. I can't imagine it being too much of a problem on BBb.

Not at all.. I wouldn't mind playing solos that are written for other instruments. Thanks for the input. Is this concerto written for Bass trombone or tenor? I'm assuming tenor but I've never heard it

Troy wrote:

fenne1ca wrote:I don't know if it bothers you that the work isn't written for the tuba, but the Grøndahl Concerto for Trombone (played an octave lower) came off very well on my CC last year. I can't imagine it being too much of a problem on BBb.

Not at all.. I wouldn't mind playing solos that are written for other instruments. Thanks for the input. Is this concerto written for Bass trombone or tenor? I'm assuming tenor but I've never heard it

It's a famous tenor trombone concerto that would, IMO, sound pretty bad down an octave. Too many thirds too low in the tuba range. Mud city, particularly the second movement.

Todd S. Malicoate wrote:
It's a famous tenor trombone concerto that would, IMO, sound pretty bad down an octave. Too many thirds too low in the tuba range. Mud city, particularly the second movement.

I got the same impression when I listened to it

I like the Wilhelm Concertino for tuba. I can play it on my BBb I'm sure you could too
And I think its written for contrabass tuba too!

The Frackenpohl Concertino written for Abe Torchinsky (sp?) is a fine little work well suited for contrabass tuba. The second movement is quite pretty.

It's also a good work if you're playing a concerto with a less than professional orchestra.

J.c.S.

Eric Ewazen's "Concerto for Bass Trombone or Tuba" would work well