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Hey folks!

To anyone who has played Bruckner 7th: What are your thoughts about playing bass tuba for movements 1 & 3, and contrabass for movements 2 & 4?

I know that there are many editions of the symphony out there, and there is a discrepancy between the Nowak version that Abe Torchinsky used for his "Tuba Players Orchestral Repertoire" edition, and the version that I am currently playing with an orchestra.

I had not previously considered the use of bass, until noticing the designation on the part that I am currently using. The Nowak version states contrabass throughout, but having just played the first rehearsal on a 6/4 horn, I did feel that the big horn was a bit heavy, particularly in the third movement.

Certainly the whole thing can be played on contrabass, but in reviewing the parts for movements 1 & 3, I think that the tessitura does indeed suggest bass tuba.

Is there a general agreement out there???

I've played Bruckner 7 a few times over the years, and I always used to play it all on CC. The last time we played it I used F for movements 1 & 3, and CC for 2 & 4, and it works really well - I wish I'd done it before!

Not totally an answer, but when I saw Berlin play Bruckner 9, Alexander von Puttkamer switched back and forth between BBb and F many times, sometimes even within a movement. I like F tubas, so I say go with that.

Both and Bass and Contra are indicated. Yasuhito Sugiyama used both to excellent effect with TCO.

J.c.S.

Even though the movements are marked, alternately, bass, contrabass. bass, contrabass, I cannot imagine not playing the entire piece on the CC tuba. That may be my Philadelphia and New York training bias showing.

When I played it in a reading rehearsal ages ago I alternated between my old Cerveny 601 BBb and my Mirafone 184 CC. Afterwards, the first trombone asked "Why did you bring 2 tubas?" He hadn't noticed a thing. Last time I saw/heard it performed was Tokyo Philharmonic in Suntory Hall. Don't remember the tubist's name but he was exquisite, and yes, he alternated between what looked like a Gronitz PCK and a PF. Could be wrong about the brand, but no question as to the keys.