Page 1 of 1

Overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream

Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2019 9:04 pm
by danielhorn
Within the next few months, I will be performing the Overture to Midsummer Night's Dream by Mendelssohn. My question is what instrument I should use. Unfortunately, I only have access to a large 6/4 CC tuba and a euphonium, and both have some issues (particularly that low B on euphonium). Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream

Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2019 12:59 am
by Snake Charmer
Ophicleide. Because Wessex has not made an English Bass Horn yet (this was originally intended by Mendelssohn) (Hint hint...!!!)
Or the smallishest tuba with a small mouthpiece for a really intimate chamber music sound

Re: Overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream

Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2019 5:12 am
by macbil
Shows you what boneheads some conductors are! It was the first piece I ever played for money with a pro orchestra. Scary but we got there. Played it on a Besson E flat. Worked just fine.

Re: Overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream

Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2019 5:46 am
by UDELBR
The French C is the way to go, if you don't have access or ability for an ophicleide, and can wrangle a purchase. This is the instrument French composers wanted for "tuba" parts in their repertoire up until about 1960.

https://wessex-tubas.com/collections/tu ... tuba-tc236

Re: Overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream

Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2019 10:38 am
by The Brute Squad
Neither option is ideal, but if you can hit those E's solidly on the CC, I'd choose that.

Re: Overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream

Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2019 5:01 pm
by Scott Sutherland
San Diego Symphony played this recently and Matt Garbutt performed on a Besson Euph (he doesn't play bass tuba). Everyone I talked to said it sounded awesome. Switch as needed to the CC, but I'd play the euph primarily for this overture.

Re: Overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream

Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2019 3:04 pm
by EdFirth
The first couple of times I played it I used my King 2341 and it was fine. I heard Jake do it on the York and it was VERY fine. About 20 years later we were about to do it in another group and I got spooked about missing notes...and my Eb was in the shop so I asked Chester Schmitz what he thought and he told me he had used a Besson comp euphonium on it for years. Couldn't get my hands on one but borrowed a King Eb and it went quite well. If I ever have to play it again I'm going for the comp euph, especially now that you can get them so reasonably priced.Ed