Gerard Hoffnung, artist, humorist, tubist

[MichaelDenney]

While bumbling, or perhaps staggering, through the internet (I can't say "searching" since I rarely have a defined goal) I learned of this amusing gentleman whom our British cousins no doubt know well, and, because of the tuba connection, many on this side of the pond too. His cartoon style seems familiar and certainly his "Bricklayer's Lament," but I didn't know the back story.

He decided to study the tuba at age 25 because many of his friends were musicians, and after three years he became tubist for a respected amateur orchestra. Gutsy.

This year is the fiftieth anniversary of his untimely passing. Although he died young he apparently produced a great deal of work, much of it cartoons poking fun at conductors and musicians...

http://www.musicweb-international.com/h ... artoon.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank"

http://www.musicweb-international.com/h ... /index.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerard_Hoffnung" target="_blank" target="_blank"

[Dean E]

Wikipedia, under "Subcontabass tubas," says, ". . . in the 1950s, British musician Gerard Hoffnung commissioned the London firm of Paxman to create a subcontrabass tuba for use in his comedic music festivals . . . ." [no photo on Wikipedia, and footnotes omitted].

The photo below apparently is of the Paxman-made subcontrabass tuba. I've seen it reported to be either CCC, EEEb or BBBb.

The Paxman horn is a CCC and is in a private collection. . . .

Hoffnung and Paxman subcontrabass.jpg

[eupher61]

it's in CCC, with slides to extend to BBBb, in my understanding. And, yes, it's in a private collection.

[skeath]

Hoffnung was a brilliant satirist; his cartoons, many of which appeared in London newspapers, were right on point to musicians, perhaps less so to conductors. His "Music Festivals" predated P.D.Q. Bach, and were outrageous parodies (Concerto for Two Hoovers). On some of them, Dennis Brain played a Mozart horn concerto on a garden hose (and it was pretty damn good). At least one of these concerts was recorded and sold commercially (on vinyl), although I don't know if it was ever transferred to CD.

[David Richoux]

Hoffnung was a brilliant satirist; his cartoons, many of which appeared in London newspapers, were right on point to musicians, perhaps less so to conductors. His "Music Festivals" predated P.D.Q. Bach, and were outrageous parodies (Concerto for Two Hoovers). On some of them, Dennis Brain played a Mozart horn concerto on a garden hose (and it was pretty damn good). At least one of these concerts was recorded and sold commercially (on vinyl), although I don't know if it was ever transferred to CD.

All of the festivals have been released on one CD set - I have it (along with most of the original Angel LP recordings.)
HERE IS THE OFFICIAL SALES WEBSITE:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/h ... ffsale.htm but you can probably still get some of them on Amazon.com or amazon.co.uk

[Mike Finn]

...His cartoon style seems familiar and certainly his "Bricklayer's Lament," but I didn't know the back story.

That was Hoffnung? I had no idea. I've always heard it as "Paddy's Sick Note", here sung by the great Sean Cannon:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cP7AQ8Pp ... re=related" target="_blank" target="_blank

[David Richoux]

...His cartoon style seems familiar and certainly his "Bricklayer's Lament," but I didn't know the back story.

That was Hoffnung? I had no idea. I've always heard it as "Paddy's Sick Note", here sung by the great Sean Cannon:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cP7AQ8Pp ... re=related" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank


:lol:

I don't think Hoffnung ever claimed to have actually written it, but his version is one of the best (it was recorded in 1958.) Paddy Reilly was performing at that time and he has done the "Sick Note" based on the same story line. Probably goes back to the Vaudeville era.

[Mike Finn]

Paddy Reilly was performing at that time and he has done the "Sick Note" based on the same story line.

of course, Paddy's Sick Note

[Art Hovey]

Regarding the sub-contrabass tuba: I seem to recall that the liner notes on the original LP stated that the tuba had been made for John Philip Sousa to celebrate his visit to England. Paxman did have it in the shop some time around 1960, and sold it to Ron Snyder. There was a story about him and the tuba in Life Magazine shortly after that.

[imperialbari]

:

[Steve Marcus]

I believe that this is a photo of Ron Snyder with the Hoffnung subcontrabass tuba.

It definitely postdates the storage of the horn at Paxson's because you can see the collar on the bell that was a result of having to cut the bell to remove the horn from Paxson's basement and then re-attach it. Subsequent to placing the horn in storage there in the late 1950's (after the Hoffnung Festival in which Mr. Hoffnung played the horn), some genius built a wall at Paxson's that prevented the horn from clearing the stairway without cutting the bell.

Notice the 1960's vintage decor including, on the bookshelf to the right of the tuba, what appears to be a classic off-white/emerald green/gold bound edition of the World Book Encyclopedia. You can also see some enlarged music on the wall (a photographic stunt?).



The current owner of the subcontrabass tuba has it permanently placed in a custom-built stand with casters (see Klaus' photo in the previous post). In the photo of Mr. (Dr.?) Snyder, the horn appears to be sitting on a standard upholstered chair or stool and leaning against a wall to place it into playing position. Could you imagine having to lift and tilt this huge tuba every time you wanted to stabilize it for playing--and then lifting it again to return it to its resting position?

[Tuba Guy]

Could you imagine having to lift and tilt this huge tuba every time you wanted to stabilize it for playing--and then lifting it again to return it to its resting position?

No...but I could imagine playing Tchaik 4 on it...and liking it

[Alex C]

Wikipedia, under "Subcontabass tubas," says, ". . .

Please correct me if I'm wrong but I think Hoffnung refers to this tuba as his "sub-octo-contrabass tuba" either on the recording or the original liner notes.

[Steve Marcus]

Well, he could call it whatever he wanted to. In introducing the horn to his audience, he pointed to two branches and identified them as "hot" and "cold."

[David Richoux]

Well, he could call it whatever he wanted to. In introducing the horn to his audience, he pointed to two branches and identified them as "hot" and "cold."

Judging by the audience reaction to that bit, I think he was opening the two spit valves (but I wasn't there to confirm this...;-)

[Alex C]

He also commented that there was a fourth valve "on this tuba but... I've... never.... been.... able.... to find it..."