Lachenmann's "Harmonica"

tubafatness · Post by **tubafatness** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 11:55 pm

Has anyone on here either seen or played Helmut Lachenmann's solo tuba piece "Harmonica"? It was written for Richard Nahatzki, and got its premiere in 1983: the premiere info states, "15 May 1983 in Saarbrucken, 'Musik im 20. Jahrhunder.' Orchestra of the Saarland Radio, conductor: Hans Zender, soloist: Richard Nahatzki." It looks like a wild piece. There are all kinds of extended techniques, both for the tuba soloist and the massive orchestra, (which includes, among the standard compliment of instruments, an electric organ and three electric bell keyboards.) Any info on this piece would be great.
Aaron

P.S., if anyone has heard of a recording of this piece, I would greatly appreciate being told where to find that recording!

KHHS · Post by **KHHS** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 3:45 am

There is an excerpt in mp3-format on the site of the german tubist Klaus Burger:

http://www.klaus-burger.com/repertoire.html

I don't know if he has a recording of this available on cd.

Very interesting music! I would really like to listen to the whole piece.

circusboy · Post by **circusboy** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:59 pm

I second the 'very interesting music' opinion.

I also want to thank you for the introduction (to me, anyway) of Klaus Burger--quite a player and quite an interesting guy. Do you have a recommendation of one of his recordings?

The Deep End · Post by **The Deep End** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 11:40 am

I have never heard this piece other than the Burger excerpt. Jim Gourlay played it with the BBC Symphony in London back in the 80s and it would probably have been recorded for BBC radio.

tubafatness · Post by **tubafatness** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 1:20 am

Thanks for the info! I too am glad to have discovered a new tuba player out there, (at least new to me.) There needs to be more guys out there like him. Again, thanks for the links!
Aaron