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My local youth symphony holds a concerto competition every year where the winner of the competition get's to play a movement from a concerto. Because of budget restraints, my original choice of a movement from the RVW was deemed too expensive and it was suggested that I should look for a concerto that is public domain. I know of tuba player's borrowing music of other instrument such as the Mozart and Strauss Horn Concertos, but I want to know of what are some of the other solo options.

we3kings wrote:it was suggested that I should look for a concerto that is public domain.

This is amusing, considering that no concerti written for tuba could possibly be public domain.

I'm guessing that the committee in charge is unaware of that fact. Perhaps you should enlighten them. Then, if budget is a concern, they can simply save you and everyone else some time by saying "tuba players need not apply."

As for performing a concerto with orchestra transposed at least an octave down, I'm wholly against the idea. It would simply sound terrible, regardless of the ability of the players. Solo lines are scored in a certain register for a reason, and the accompaniment is designed around the solo being in that register.

On a more helpful note, I have an orchestral arrangement that I did for our university symphony for a concerto winner a couple of years ago...the Ernst Sachse bass trombone concerto. "Same range as RVW." I'll make you a deal. Get the solo with piano version, win the competition, and I'll send it to you for your youth orchestra to use for free.

I don't have a suggestion, but would suggest some clarification,my reading of the original post lead me to understand that a tuba probably the OP has won and now has to find a concerto to play.

Is this the case?

If yes then there maybe some composers here who would like the chance to have their concerto played.

sousaphone68 wrote:I don't have a suggestion, but would suggest some clarification,my reading of the original post lead me to understand that a tuba probably the OP has won and now has to find a concerto to play.

Is this the case?

If yes then there maybe some composers here who would like the chance to have their concerto played.

Gosh, I hope that's not the case. That would be most bizarre for someone to win a concerto competition on a piece that wasn't intended to be played with the orchestra. What would be the point? Seems pretty far-fetched.

ETA: I see another possibility here that you may be seeing, too. Perhaps the OP already won with RVW and THEN the orchestra decided they couldn't afford to rent the score. Yep, that's a pickle. In that case, my offer for the Sachse stands.

Todd S. Malicoate wrote:ETA: I see another possibility here that you may be seeing, too. Perhaps the OP already won with RVW and THEN the orchestra decided they couldn't afford to rent the score. Yep, that's a pickle. In that case, my offer for the Sachse stands.

The director is trying to prevent this situation from happening by suggesting that I find another piece.

Something I am looking into is if I could use an aria. Does anyone know of arias that work well in the range of the tuba?

we3kings wrote:Something I am looking into is if I could use an aria. Does anyone know of arias that work well in the range of the tuba?

Assuming you can play up to middle c most bass arias will work. O isis un Osiris from Die Zauberflote by Mozart is a classic on Tuba.

http://www.amazon.com/Arias-Bass-Schirm ... 079350404X" target="_blank

You can find all of these on imslp.org but you might have to sift through many complete scores.

What about the Capuzzi bass concerto though? That would sit nicely on tuba and wouldn't screw up the range vis-a-vis the orchestral parts.

http://imslp.org/wiki/Double-Bass_Conce ... Antonio%29" target="_blank

I like the idea of the Capuzzi could work except for the version that is on imslp is only for wind band and the string orchrestra is copyrighted.

we3kings wrote:.... string orchrestra is copyrighted.

Yes and no. The original was written way before any copyright laws. That one is public domain. Any subsequent arrangement or edition is copyrighted. I suggested Capuzzi because your orchestra might already have a copy or they might be able to borrow a copy from another ensemble.

If that leads you to a dead end, you might contact the guy who posted his free transcription on IMSLP and see if he would do an arrangement for you. (once the parts are in sibelius, it would not take much time to add a couple string parts.)

Score and parts for sale:
A8996
BROUGHTON, Bruce (b.1945)
Concerto for Tuba and Orchestra
2d1, 2d1, 2d1, 2d1 - 4, 2, 3, 0, timp, perc, hp, pno/cel, str, solo tuba in set.
Dur: 13'
Edwin F. Kalmus Original Publication
Full Score 30.00
Set of Parts 80.00
9.95 solo/pf

A5557
DENNISON, Sam (1926-2005)
Lyric Piece and Rondo for Tuba and String Orchestra
Istr, solo tuba in set
Kalmus Original Publication
Full Score 20.00
Set of Parts 55.00
Solo Part 5.00

http://www.efkalmus.com/hto.html" target="_blank" target="_blank

The audition is in January and the performance won't be till may.

russiantuba wrote:I have always been curious about the rental price of the RVW.

I believe it varies greatly depending on how many parts are needed, what the venue is, how long the parts are needed, etc.

A local orchestra rented out Ravel's Bolero and the total cost was around $750 for one performance with a 65 piece orchestra.

YMMV.

My offer stands. Ernst Sachse concerto. I have an arrangement (quite good and very playable by a youth orchestra) you can use for FREE. Get the solo/piano edition (probably a trombone player or instructor in your area has one you can look at) and see what you think.

ETA: Ooh! Better still...

http://imslp.org/wiki/Concertino_%28Sachse,_Ernst%29

IMPORTANT NOTE: The bass trombone edition is down a perfect fourth from this one for tenor trombone. The bass trombone edition is in F, and the range is F (4 ledger lines) below the staff to F above the staff. Here's a page with some previews here:

http://www.brassmusiconline.com/en/sach ... -piano-664

[quote="russiantuba"]I have always been curious about the rental price of the RVW.

The price for rental/hire of a score and set of parts is different for each music publisher.

The price depends on:
1. The "category" of the orchestra - in the U.S.; Major, regional, community, university/college.
2. The number of performances.
3. On how well the composer is known and the contract details the publisher has with that composer or their estate.
4. The length of the composition.
5. Rentals are sent for a specific amount of time before the first performance. Extra weeks will cost more.
6. Rentals are sent with a score, a set of all parts needed and strings parts for stands - 9.8.7.5.4 (or less).
7. If a solo part is for sale it usually is NOT included in the rental set.

A publisher will "quote" a rental fee when the above information is sent from the orchestra librarian or conductor.
There is no set price on orchestra rentals.

For the Vaughan Williams Concerto, Tuba, F minor
Solo Tuba — 2[1.2/pic] 1 2 1 — 2 2 2 0 — tmp+2 perc( sd, tri, cym, bd) — str
Dur: ca.12' to 13'
Movements:
I. Allegro moderato 4'
II. Romanza: Andante sostenuto 5'
III. Finale; Rondo alla tedesca: Allegro 3'
Pub: Oxford University Press.

— Band Version ( arr: Hare)
Tba Solo—2.Picc.1.5.4Sax.2—2.2.2.0—Timp—Perc—String Bass
Pub: Oxford University Press.
The Concerto for Bass Tuba and Orchestra was composed in 1953-4 to mark the 50th anniversary of the formation of the LSO and was written for the orchestra's principal tuba player, Philip Catelinet. It was the first major concerto to be written for the instrument, and remains today the outstanding work of its kind. This new edition is based on all extant sources and contains full textual notes and a discussion of the editorial method. Notable additions are the inclusion of two sets of phrasing for the Romanza-one from the first publication, largely influenced by Catelinet, and the other from Vaughan Williams's manuscript-and the original cadenza to the first movement. The arrangement for tuba and piano has been updated in light of the research carried out by David Matthews, and all orchestral parts have been revised.

Agent for rentals in USA, Mexico, Central & South America: C. F. Peters.
For rentals in Canada: Counterpoint Musical Services.
C.F. Peters Corp./ Oxford University Press <http://www.edition-peters.com>

Email: rentals.us@editionpeters.com" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank (preferred method for rental quote requests and all other rental inquiries
Fax: (718) 416-7823 (preferred method for orders and perusal score requests)
Phone: (718) 416-7821 or (718) 416-7826
70-30 80th St., Glendale, NY 11385

Peters will ship the rental material to arrive four (4) to six (6) weeks prior to the first performance.
Please place orders at least 8 weeks prior to your first performance date.
Orders placed less than 4 weeks before your performance date may be subject to rush charges and cannot be guaranteed.
Rental orders, quotes, and other rental information is available at:
http://www.edition-peters.com/hire.php" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank
and http://www.edition-peters.com/hirepublisherlist.php" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

The conductor has rented past RVW pieces in the past and suspects it to be in the range of $800-1200 for parts.

russiantuba wrote:Don't learn a new piece in a month

The choices are:

1) Learn a new piece in a month.

or

2) Don't enter the competition.

Given those options, I'd say start working on a new piece now. A month is plenty of time to prepare for a competition, especially with the school break coming up.

I have a copy of Concertino for Tuba and String Orchestra (written for Abe Torchinsky) by Arthur Franckenpohl. The version I have is for Tuba and Piano. Published 1967 by Robert King. It is a fairly short 3 movement piece that is not terribly difficult to play but is quite challenging to play well. The range is doable, there is some rhythmic interest, a cadenza, all in all a good solid piece of music that allows you to show off your musicianship. It also has that bit of whimsy and lightheartedness present in much of Frackenpohl's music. It is not listed on the King site that I can find but I'm sure someone out there has access to the score and orch parts. Good Luck, Phil

Hey,

I would suggest a Mozart Horn concerto. The horn has a nice range, but not as good as ours (They just aren't as modest about it), so they have nice range and the melismas match to what a tuba can do, so it's a win win situation. Any of those 4 horn concertos he did are great and it would be a great piece to work on.

sethbrown wrote:Hey,

I would suggest a Mozart Horn concerto. The horn has a nice range, but not as good as ours (They just aren't as modest about it), so they have nice range and the melismas match to what a tuba can do, so it's a win win situation. Any of those 4 horn concertos he did are great and it would be a great piece to work on.

I thank yo all for the suggestion I have decided to go with the first movement of 4th Horn Concerto.

we3kings wrote:

sethbrown wrote:Hey,

I would suggest a Mozart Horn concerto. The horn has a nice range, but not as good as ours (They just aren't as modest about it), so they have nice range and the melismas match to what a tuba can do, so it's a win win situation. Any of those 4 horn concertos he did are great and it would be a great piece to work on.

I thank yo all for the suggestion I have decided to go with the first movement of 4th Horn Concerto.

Good luck, but I think you're making a mistake. It's not going to sound good down an octave with the orchestra. Look at the passage at F and how it's going to be muddied with the bass line. Same problem 3 before M.