Bartok Dance Suite

Wyvern · Post by **Wyvern** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 6:19 pm

I have just got a request to play Bartok Dance Suite and it is a work I know nothing about.

I guess being Bartok it is not easy? Can anyone tell me anything, in particular if it is a piece for bass, or contrabass tuba (I would rather not have to take along both) and if mute is required?

Of course if anyone has a scanned part they could email, that would be a great help

Thanks!

Jonathan

Chuck Jackson · Post by **Chuck Jackson** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 6:36 pm

Johnathon,

Nice piece. I don't remember anything too tricky and if I remember right, it lays well on either horn. I think choice of horn depends on the size of the group you are playing with. When I played it a few years back it was coupled with the two Violin Rhapsodies and a piece by Tibor Serly, Bartok's amenuensis, it was with a chamber orchestra and I used a 3/4 Rudy. Bartok is great fun. Enjoy.

Chuck

Wyvern · Post by **Wyvern** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 7:33 pm

Played the Bartok Dance Suite today. Certainly a fun piece with lots for the tuba, so no getting bored.

I decided to take my Melton Eb along and that worked ideal - it is a piece that lays well on bass tuba and I never felt I wanted anything bigger. Only one short note in the low register (G), with most being in, or above the staff going up to D#. Nice little tuba solo and a number of other prominent passages.

However the most remarkable thing about the work is the amount of muted tuba - in, out, in, out about half a dozen times - I felt like a trumpet player!