"The Red Pony"--Matt Good

[MichaelDenney]

I just heard part of Copland's "The Red Pony Suite" on the radio. The music was fun enough to set my foot tapping, the tuba part was interesting enough to get my conscious attention, and the tuba sound was impressive enough to make me run to the computer to find out who was playing. Per the WRR 101.1 site it was the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in 1996-97, so it must have been Matt Good since Ev Gilmore had retired a year or so before.

It was a big broad York- or Holton-like sound and was rich and full even on short notes. Vintage Matt Good. I can't tell from the short sound clips on line which movement it was--anybody know which movement has a rollicking exposed tuba part?

Now I have an item for my Christmas list!...besides the standing list of tubas, euphoniums and cars.

[twoconnguy]

There's a nice recording of it on the Marine Band site from the CD, Symphonies of Wind Instruments, if you want to hear it again. http://www.marineband.usmc.mil/audio_re ... uments.htm

[bberlien]

If the performance was from 1996-97, then Matt was using his MW 2165. I have many fond memories of hearing him with that horn in the DSO.

I recommend listening to the DSO Mahler 2 w/ Litton, but also try to track down a recently released Mahler 6 with the same group - some of the best low brass section playing on record (I believe it's only available from the DSO directly).

As for great recordings of Copland's Red Pony, look no further than the Boston Pops w/ John Williams. The album is Music for Stage and Screen. Chester, as expected, sounds incredible.

Ben Berlien

[MichaelDenney]

If the performance was from 1996-97, then Matt was using his MW 2165.

This would explain why it sounded like a big Holton, which I understand the 2165 was loosely patterned after. Even my pianist wife noticed the rich tone and said it sounded like me on my BB345, which would totally astound my section mates.