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Wagner/Mehta, Heldenleben/Mehta were the Geib/Conn right? What about the other Teldec recordings of the 80s.

Here are some with the CB on his Conn/Alex
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvBEkhBO ... el&list=UL" target="_blank
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84WEPrc4 ... el&list=UL" target="_blank
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv-9Sq6_ ... el&list=UL" target="_blank
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBGNrhoK ... el&list=UL" target="_blank

Mahler 5/Mehta, Sibelius 2/Mehta, Planets, Pictures...

I met Mr. Deck very briefly in 1981, he was in the NY Phil, visiting Ann Arbor. It would be many years until I would hear a horn described as a "6/4" or 5/4 or an anything 4. The same year it was big news that Hirsbrunner was making a copy of the CSO York. It was called a "copy of the CSO York" in the telling, expected to cost almost 4 times the cost of a new Miraphone, which was quite a sum at the time (2800 vs. 10000).

About Mr. Deck, Mr. T told me, "Warren could make a chair sound good". His playing was amazing, and I don't think Mr. T chose his words lightly. Years later, one's sound may be attributed to the horn, but I was advised otherwise.

There is a recording of Zarathustra/Death and Transfiguration with Sinopoli. Matt Good is playing the other tuba part on Zarathustra. It was recorded in 1987 at the Manhattan Center so it avoids the Avery Fisher "sonic death trap." It's hard to find but soooo worth it. Copland 3 w/Bernstein had to be Frankenstein. It's one of my "Desert Island" recordings. Also, since I know how big of a BSO fan you are, the BSO recording of Elektra with Ozawa, has Deck on tuba, with Chester Schmitz on contrabass trombone! Enjoy!

I offer another recording of the Philharmonic with Warren Deck in his prime. I am not where I can give you details, but, listen to, if you can still find it, Sibeluus' 2nd Symphony under Zubin Mehta . Having studied with Mr. Deck for two years, I think that the Sibelius recording displays the quintessential Deck sound and style. Mr. Deck had AMAZING control of the tuba, musically, sonically and technically. Mr. Deck was also a superb instructor. In addtion to being a virtuoso performer, he also had the ability to tell his students HOW he got that way through hard work and dedication to the instrument. He was a great influence on me.

I was fortunate to have found Mr. Torchinsky later in life and got several lessons from him. When Mr. Torchinsky found out that I was a former Deck student, he began reminiscing about Mr. Deck, his former student and how far he was developed and prepared as a performer when he first came to the University of Michigan. Mr. Torchinsky was right when he said to me about Mr. Deck, "Randy, that guy would have played the way he does if he studied with you!"

Aaron Tindall wrote:Mahler 5/Mehta, Sibelius 2/Mehta, Planets, Pictures...

So, all of the Teldec recordings before Bruckner 7 then? These have been reissued on Warner Classics for cheap.

I think that the Bruckner 7 recording is still on his Conn/Geib. Sibelius 2 is a must listen to, as is the Copland 3 recording. This is Warren at some of his finest IMO.

The BSO/Ozawa is actually Don Harry w/Chester on contra. Warren did all of the rehearsals but couldn't do the recording from what I'm told.

I have had many fine instructors, but Warren has resonated within me far longer than many of the others. This is not meant to take anything away from them or what I learned during those periods in my life, but Warren's ability to convey clearly to the student how to be in total control of the instrument, and the musical choices you chose, and must choose to make based on the circumstances around you are second to none from anyone I have encountered before. He is the real deal, and a master teacher to say the least. Take a lesson, or watch a masterclass with him if you ever get a chance.

The Copland 3 was recorded along with William Schuman 3 and Roy Harris 3 which were all performed in one program that followed a week of Mahler 7 with Bernstein (which was also recorded). I think this was all done in early November of 1985 as I was in NYC and went to all the concerts. Also don't forget the Mahler 2 & Mahler 3rd were also done on the Conn-Geib. Warren played all the Bernstein/NYPO recordings on the Conn-Geib with the exception of a short while in 1988 when he was messing around with a Yorkbrunner. To my best recollection, the Sinopoli/Resphigi recording was done on that Yorkbrunner.

The Heldenleben that was mentioned earlier was done on the original Conn rotary valve set before Warren changed it out with the 20.5mm bore Alexander set.

-Matt

He and Sam Pilafian played on the Philip Glass score to Koyaanisqatsi (I wonder if I spelled that right) - recorded in the first half of the '80s but I don't know what he was using.

Forgot about all of those 80s DG recordings as well.

Matt Good wrote:The Copland 3 was recorded along with William Schuman 3 and Roy Harris 3 which were all performed in one program that followed a week of Mahler 7 with Bernstein (which was also recorded). I think this was all done in early November of 1985 as I was in NYC and went to all the concerts. Also don't forget the Mahler 2 & Mahler 3rd were also done on the Conn-Geib. Warren played all the Bernstein/NYPO recordings on the Conn-Geib with the exception of a short while in 1988 when he was messing around with a Yorkbrunner. To my best recollection, the Sinopoli/Resphigi recording was done on that Yorkbrunner.

The Heldenleben that was mentioned earlier was done on the original Conn rotary valve set before Warren changed it out with the 20.5mm bore Alexander set.

-Matt

That Copland Symphony 3 is interesting because my dad recorded the original concert off the radio. I heard that cassette once or twice and Warren Deck sounded even bigger than he does on the CD. He sounds huge on the CD but they give more prominence to the trombones on it. On the concert broadcast, the tuba was bigger than any one else (I sure didn't mind). I think this happens a lot on CDs.

DP wrote:

jtuba wrote:Forgot about all of those 80s DG recordings as well.

why?

Just slipped my mind, Mehta being Teldec and Bernstein being DG.