Richard Strauss Alpine Symphony

[Chuck Jackson]

There was a great DVD out with Karajan conducting this work with the BPO. The close ups on the tuba's showed an F and very large Alexander BBb playing the parts. My tendency would be to follow that. I think the 2nd part would work well on a large BBb or CC. Mileage may vary and I agree with Mr. Torchinsky, the work is not Strauss' best. I will beat everyone to the punch and tell you there is a recording with the LAPO/Mehta from the 70's on London that does the work no justice, but the tuba playing is, well, present and incredible. Good luck.

Chuck

[LoyalTubist]

By German definition, a Baßtuba is an F tuba and a Kontrabaßtuba is a BBb tuba. In German, B is B-flat and H is B. So, they call it a BB Kontrabaßtuba! (not BB-flat)

[Chuck Jackson]

Yeah, I'll agree with that. After looking at the parts for the first time in 15 years, two big horns will work. Nice soft stuff in the sunrise portion. I re-visited the Karajan recording (actually the first CD I ever bought) and still don't like the piece, but what a wonderful work out for a stereo system!!! Killer Eb trumpet part, BTW. Cheers.

Chuck

[finnbogi]

I played the Alpine Symphony a few years ago. I used my E flat, but the other chap played a C. A few months earlier I saw it played by the Seattle Symphony, and I am quite sure that both parts were played on C tubas.
I agree that Strauss would probably have written Kontrabaßtuba, had he intended that the part should be played on big horns. Whether it is done in the German world or not, I am sure it would be possible to play the piece using two F tubas, since the first part can works quite well on a Baßtuba and most of the loud stuff in the second part lies beneath the pedal F.

[NickJones]

I have got Alpine Symphony coming up in a couple of months and have therefore been looking at the tuba parts in the Torchinsky book. I note that the music on both parts is generally in the low register going down to D over an octave below the stave and therefore looks very much contrabass tuba parts. However, I am surprised to see that the music is headed "Basstuba" and Strauss being an experienced conductor, you would think knew what he wanted.

My question is, do they even in Germany play Alpine with bass tubas? Listening to a recording of it played by the Vienna Philharmonic, it sounds like they are using big tubas, although I know recordings can be deceptive.

My instinct is to play it on my CC, particularly as I believe I will be the only tuba covering (as best I can) both parts. However, am curious what is normally used.

Sounds like a massive undertaking to do it on your own , blimey John , I'll give you a hand if you want some cheeky low register stuff going on.which orchestra are you doing it with?

[NickJones]

I had an offer to help out on that course a few years ago.the course is on at Easter I think.I think it was a trombonist from the RLPO who was looking for a tuba player , course was a bit pricy so no one was biting , it's along the same lines of the Camford summer school , If I remember I think Malcom Binney had something to do with it. It will be a really good experience for you. I don't know if Alpine will be a work you perform just have a look at and work on the Other stuff , but who knows.

[NickJones]

Yes courses like this are a good experience , last time I came down to Canford was a depping job , also done a few concerts at the Wessex hall in Poole.

[Steve Marcus]

Besides BrianF, did anyone on this BBS hear or perform Jay Friedman's transcription of the Alpine Symphony for large brass ensemble that was performed at Chicago's Orchestra Hall in memory of Mr. Jacobs (or was it in tribute to Bud Herseth)?

[MichaelDenney]

Question for Jonathan or Nick:

What sort of course is this? It sounds like a sophisticated band camp for adults.

[NickJones]

yes it's a week long course , you get a set reportoire list , play through most of it and perform 2 or 3 works , it usually costs a couple of hundred pounds , quite good socially. the cost puts a few players off ( especially with the larger instruments).It is very similer to the Canford summer school run by Malcolm Binney. Dont know if there is a weblink to the course.

[MichaelDenney]

I may try a course one of these years when visiting my British cousin. At that point I'll have to face the vexing question of how to transport my 6/4 Holton 345. Currently it's a challenge transporting it even locally since my hauler vehicle went off to college with one of the kids, and all I have to drive are a Triumph TR4A and a Miata! The horn will only fit in the roadsters with the top down, which I suppose makes me a fair-weather tubist. It kind of changes the sound of my tuba-euph quartet on rainy nights when I can fit only my euph in the car.

[NickJones]

there are a few summer schools , the Swansea international brass band summer school , Canford , Harlech , york , most uk universities run a summer school of some description. just worth looking out if there is one close to where your reletives live.
best thing with transporting is finding a good airline and a stong carrying case , when I came over to the states in 1997 / 2002 my Besson wheeled case did the job perfectly.

[Dan Satterwhite]

Besides BrianF, did anyone on this BBS hear or perform Jay Friedman's transcription of the Alpine Symphony for large brass ensemble that was performed at Chicago's Orchestra Hall in memory of Mr. Jacobs (or was it in tribute to Bud Herseth)?

I was at that concert, which was a tribute to Adolph Herseth, and it was a truly amazing event, both musically and emotionally. The playing was incredible and Jay Friedman's arrangement was extremely effective.

[tubajoe]

dont forget your aerofor

[Charlie Goodman]

I heard this piece this past summer with LSO/Previn, and it is among my top three musical memories. Absolutely stunning performance.

Incidently, both tubists were on big horns for it.

[MartyNeilan]

Did someone say hunting?