Wilder- Convalescence Suite

Ted Cox · Post by **Ted Cox** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 9:19 am

The Convalescence Suite by Alec Wilder was written for Harvey Phillips between the years of 1971 to 1975. There are three parts and a total of 18 movements, all about one page and all unaccompanied. As with any composition, some movements I like better than others. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be the 12th. If I knew how to post an excerpt, I have a recording of myself performing this movement so you all could hear this wonderful music.

Bill Troiano · Post by **Bill Troiano** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 2:37 pm

Alec wrote the piece(s) for Harvey back during the first International Tuba Conf. in Bloomington in 1973. I was just graduating college and I went to the conf. (with Walter Hartley BTW). I'm in THE picture! Harvey became ill. He managed to give the welcoming address, and play a short recital before coughing blood and being rushed to the hospital. It was during that hospital stay that Alec wrote the suite. Harvey missed the entire conference that he organized.

Stephen Shoop · Post by **Stephen Shoop** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 2:43 pm

To add to Ted's comments: The copy I have was published in 1982 by Margun Music Inc., and edited by Gunther Schuller. The piece was composed on the occasion of one of Mr. Phillips' stays in the hospital.

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 4:07 pm

I can't seem to lay my hands on my copy, so I can't discuss particular movements, but I remember doing several on my undergrad senior recital. One of the nice things about it (as I recall) was that there were 3 sets of single page pieces, so I just picked and chose what I liked, and didn't have to shell out for a "collaborative pianist" to do them...

BVD Press · Post by **BVD Press** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 6:45 pm

Just a quick word of warning on purchasing the chart:

Margun is distributed by Shawnee Press and I have had incredible difficulty getting almost all of the Margun publications from them. I even offered to purchase the copyrights, but was turned down. Before you order a copy from a dealer, make sure you call ahead and ask if it is actually in stock. If it is not in stock it may be a while before you get it or never!

___

On a separate note but similar, the Nelhybel Suite for Tuba has been out of print for a few years nows. I am working on getting the rights for this piece and an additional 34 titles by Nelhybel that have gone out of print in recent years. Several are for tuba in chamber ensemble, tuba solo or duet, etc. I will keep everyone posted!

___

If there are other pieces out there that might have been tossed into the out of print arena but might be significant to our little tuba world, please let me know and I will see what I can do about getting them back in print. No guarantees on any of them, but I am willing to give them shot!

Wishing all well,