LA Phil/Prokofiev/Bobo?
Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 9:42 am
Good Morning,
While pulling discs for a shift on Sunday, I came across most of the Prokofiev Symphonies recorded between 1986-87 with the LA Phil with Previn. As I am not sure when Mr. Bobo's tenure ended, I will assume that it was he who was playing. I listened to 5,6, and 7 and must say that it is some of the most musically astute tuba playing on record for these works. Nice fat sound that is always present, never overbearing, always in tune. The low stuff in the 7th is wonderful and the 5th is what you would expect it to be, well I can't use the proper expletives to describe it, suffice it to say it was awe inspiring. For all the hoopla surrounding his solo recordings and the Planets recording, it's easy to overlook the fact that Roger Bobo may have been the greatest orchestral tuba player of his generation. I don't know if these disks are still on the market, I believe they are on the Philips label, but they belong in every tuba players library for their TASTE and MUSICALITY. Yes, Virginia, it is possible to play the tuba and not turn it into a foghorn. And, if memory serves me correctly, not a BAT in sight. Go Figure.
P.S.- the Pedal C# at the recap of the 1st movement of the 7th, yup that real low one, is so present it's amazing, not loud, just present.
Chuck
While pulling discs for a shift on Sunday, I came across most of the Prokofiev Symphonies recorded between 1986-87 with the LA Phil with Previn. As I am not sure when Mr. Bobo's tenure ended, I will assume that it was he who was playing. I listened to 5,6, and 7 and must say that it is some of the most musically astute tuba playing on record for these works. Nice fat sound that is always present, never overbearing, always in tune. The low stuff in the 7th is wonderful and the 5th is what you would expect it to be, well I can't use the proper expletives to describe it, suffice it to say it was awe inspiring. For all the hoopla surrounding his solo recordings and the Planets recording, it's easy to overlook the fact that Roger Bobo may have been the greatest orchestral tuba player of his generation. I don't know if these disks are still on the market, I believe they are on the Philips label, but they belong in every tuba players library for their TASTE and MUSICALITY. Yes, Virginia, it is possible to play the tuba and not turn it into a foghorn. And, if memory serves me correctly, not a BAT in sight. Go Figure.
P.S.- the Pedal C# at the recap of the 1st movement of the 7th, yup that real low one, is so present it's amazing, not loud, just present.
Chuck
There is little doubt that Mr. Bobo changed the direction of tuba playing forever. In fact, Los Angeles could be the most important city in tuba history.