A non-equipment post (don't try to make it one! )
I recently re-downloaded the so-called "Deck Special" recordings to put on my PSP.
(More info at viewtopic.php?f=2&t=22141)
What really struck me about his playing was not just the quality of the sound, the amount of sound, or even the timing of the sound. It was the pitch of the sound. Virtually every note absolutely, spot on, perfectly on pitch.
bloke wrote:When I heard him play in Texas (at a T.U.B.A. thing many years ago) with the Houston Symphony trombone section (as he had just "won" the NYPO job), I noticed the same thing...and he managed it with a 6/4 known to have many quirks (which, to me, made his playing even more admirable).
Out of interest, do you remember if he slide pulled a lot, or lipped the notes into tune?
Listen to any NYPO recording during Mr. Deck's tenure and you cannot help but admire his playing ability. I recently heard Copland's 3rd Symphony on the radio with the NYPO/Bernstein and immediately bought the recording. What you mention about technical accuracy rings true in this recording and every other recording I have involving Mr. Deck. IMO, he was the best orchestral tuba player I have heard to date, live and on recording.
Reasons:
-Flawless intonation
-Excellent rhythmic/timing abilities
-Articulation: Instant sound with no "front end" noise
-Huge sound
-Projection without using "techniques" to be heard
-Always knew "the tune": phrasing, balance, blend
Another thing was his ability to seamlessly switch roles in the orchestra. If he needed to blend with the low brass: done. French horns: done. Woodwinds: done. String basses: done. A lot of us tend to be way into Mr. Deck's sound and for good reason. However, and moreover, once you get past that and into his ability to be in the music with his phrasing and general musicianship, you can really understand where his true abilities as a player were. This gentleman knew the music inside and out without question.
bloke wrote:...So the "woooo" sound of the tuba confuses others, intonation-wise, as much as it can confuse tuba players themselves.
Well said. I'm always amazed how trombonists I play with will react so positively when I use a Miraphone (...not really the sound I have in my head anymore..). It's 'cuz it's *really* in tune all by itself, and because they can truly "hear" the pitch (albeit comprised of lots of upper overtones).
bloke wrote:there is *nothing* comparable to a *really* in-tune and beautifully-executed tuba sound sitting on the bottom of an in-tune ensemble chord.[/b]
I've had the opportunity to sit beside and attempt to tune with many tubas over the last 40 years. There are just 3 or 4 who bring a smile to my face when I see them walk into a gig. It is a rare and wonderful thing to be in the middle of an in-tune ensemble chord bottomed by a beautifully executed tuba sound. I have a live recording from a Christmas program last year that I have probably played more than any other CD this whole year because of the aboulutely nailed low brass chords. Chill bump time.
I am fortunate to have a great job that feeds my family well, but music feeds my soul.
bigpapajon wrote:A good recording of Fanfare for the Common Man makes this point quite well. The Cincinnati Pops recording that won a Grammy is a great example. Mike Thornton et al really nailed it on that one.
If you like that, you need to pick up the piece I referenced (Copland's 3rd Symphony) where you get to hear Mr. Deck's musicianship in regards to essentially the same piece with thematic variation. This recording really is that good. Furthermore, it is a live recording (which always seem to sound better).
-Flawless intonation
-Excellent rhythmic/timing abilities
-Articulation: Instant sound with no "front end" noise
-Huge sound
-Projection without using "techniques" to be heard
-Always knew "the tune": phrasing, balance, blend
You know, although they sound different (in my opinion), the above descriptions made about Warren Deck's playing can definitely be made about Alan Baer's playing with the NYP now. Check out some of the free downloads NYP has on their website......Alan sounds great. Could it be that these are the charateristics one needs to display to win an audition?
(it's also interesting to note that both gentlemen took/take a great interest in furthering the design and function of our instrument/equipment)
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