Best Classical Tuba Moments

[tubasean]

Hi guys, I just had an interesting discussion idea. What do you guys think are the best tuba "moments" in classical symphonies, pieces, etc.

Sure there's all the huge "standard" excerpts, like the Hungarian March, The Fountains of Rome, and Prokofiev's 5th just to name a few, but I mean the smaller stuff that just gets you excited and hyped up to play while you're in the middle of a performance.

Some stuff that stands out to me is right before figure K in Tchaikovsky's 5th mvt. II, and rehearsal no. 42-43 in Mahler's 2nd mvt. V (especially octaving down that final Eb if there's no contrabassoon present)

Thanks for reading, and I'd love to know what you all think are really cool parts too!

[Ace]

One of the best passages to me, as a listener and a player, is the last few measures of Hindemith's Mathis der Maler- Symphonie. It is great brass and tuba writing in the Breite Halbe section after #35, especially 5 measures from the end where the world is laid to rest on the solid foundation provided by the tuba and bass trombone. I have played it a few times and have never ceased being thrilled by it.

https://youtu.be/TsyOuyNh6oQ?t=3" target="_blank" target="_blank

Ace

[The Brute Squad]

Sibelius has some great moments like that for me. Finlandia's the obvious choice, because the whole piece is simple technically but a good chance to show off your sound (note: not just talking about volume here).

My favorite Sibelius moment is the end of the Second Symphony, though. From the pesante after R to the end. After the two fanfare licks, it's mostly just half note-whole note 3/2 measures alternating between D3-D2 and G2-D2, but it's such a satisfying build to the end, and one of those spots where if you don't need to stick your head between your legs from the oxygen rush afterward, you're doing something wrong.

[The Brute Squad]

Thanks, Joe. If I get the chance to play Sibelius 2 again, I'll probably remember this and start laughing in the middle of reading it.