American vs. German sound

[Ace]

I've been listening to a recording of Erich Korngold's opera "Das Wunder der Heliane" which has a very large orchestra. The recording dates from 1993 and is done by the Radio Symphony Orchestra of Berlin. Whoever the tuba player was, it is the most thrilling and beautiful sound I have ever heard from a tuba. I suppose that would be "German sound"? Does anyone know who the player was in that orchestra? I'll buy that guy a beer anytime.

[ZNC Dandy]

I've been listening to a recording of Erich Korngold's opera "Das Wunder der Heliane" which has a very large orchestra. The recording dates from 1993 and is done by the Radio Symphony Orchestra of Berlin. Whoever the tuba player was, it is the most thrilling and beautiful sound I have ever heard from a tuba. I suppose that would be "German sound"? Does anyone know who the player was in that orchestra? I'll buy that guy a beer anytime.

Would that have been Richard Nahatzki?

[Ace]

I've been listening to a recording of Erich Korngold's opera "Das Wunder der Heliane" which has a very large orchestra. The recording dates from 1993 and is done by the Radio Symphony Orchestra of Berlin. Whoever the tuba player was, it is the most thrilling and beautiful sound I have ever heard from a tuba. I suppose that would be "German sound"? Does anyone know who the player was in that orchestra? I'll buy that guy a beer anytime.

Would that have been Richard Nahatzki?

Thanks, ZNC. Nahatzki may be the player. I found he is mentioned on Floyd Cooley's site as the tubist in the Berlin Radio Orchestra as well as other groups.

[oedipoes]

I've been listening to a recording of Erich Korngold's opera "Das Wunder der Heliane" which has a very large orchestra. The recording dates from 1993 and is done by the Radio Symphony Orchestra of Berlin. Whoever the tuba player was, it is the most thrilling and beautiful sound I have ever heard from a tuba. I suppose that would be "German sound"? Does anyone know who the player was in that orchestra? I'll buy that guy a beer anytime.

Would that have been Richard Nahatzki?

He is playing a Nirschl CSO York copy, according to the Floyd Cooley site... how interesting that his sound is described as "german sound"...
That's the world upside down...

Wim

[UTSAtuba]

Would that have been Richard Nahatzki?

He is playing a Nirschl CSO York copy, according to the Floyd Cooley site... how interesting that his sound is described as "german sound"...
That's the world upside down...

Wim

There's just nothing quite like an American player with a reproduction of the definitive American tuba to get that "German sound".

Are there any other players that exhibit "this"? Just a question.

Joseph

[Wyvern]

As I have said before, I am sure this American v German sound is more down to the player than the equipment.

Looks like Richard Nahatzki proves that!

Are there any other players that exhibit "this"? Just a question.

What about Robert Tucci playing a Holton on the famous Solti Ring recordings?

[Rick Denney]

When did the Floydophone first become available? '93 sounds a bit early to me, given that Cooley was subbing in the CSO during that year (when he made the measurements) and didn't start working with Nirschl on the prototype until '94.

And if the CD says "Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra", then it dates to '93 or earlier. That year, they changed the name to "Deutsches Symphonie-Orkester Berlin" to avoid confusion with the formerly East German Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra.

I don't know who was playing on that CD, but he wasn't playing a Nirschl-York. So, let's stop drawing conclusions based on that non-fact.

In any case, I doubt you'll hear the difference between the two instruments on a recording, for two reasons. 1.) The sound is more dictated by microphone placement and mixing than by what the audience would hear, and 2.) the noticeable differences between these instruments has for me involved propagation in the hall as much as timbre.

The difference is not fictional, however. I remember clearly when Mike Sanders switched from his Alex to his Yorkbrunner. Both were wonderful, but the Alex was a more distant sound that came from "over there", while the Yorkbrunner was a sweet, present sound that always seemed to be "right here". That perception glowed in the dark at the back row of the mezzanine of the Lila Cockrell Theater in San Antonio, which is a large hall that is hard to fill with sound. The Yorkbrunner had a sweetness to it that seemed to me friendly, while the Alex sound was more forbidding and imposing. Those are emotional descriptions, to be sure, but that doesn't make them any less real. The year was maybe 1984, but I can still hear both sounds in my head.

Whether it was the difference between an American design and German design, or the difference between a tall bell with a narrow flare versus a shorter, wider bell stack with a wider flare (as I suspect), I would have to speculate. So, while the cause is a matter of speculation, the effect was not subtle.

Rick "wondering who the conductor was--which would at least identify the orchestra clearly" Denney

[Ace]

Rick,

The conductor listed on the CD is John Mauceri. Orchestra is RSO Berlin. Chorus is Rundfunk Chor Berlin. The recording was done at the Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Dahlem, Berlin, 20-29 February 1992. As far as I know, the "Floydophone" was not available at that time, but I might be wrong.

You were alert to my wording, "I suppose this is German sound?" Thanks.

Ace

[ZNC Dandy]

As far as I know, Mr. Nahatzki is an American. Also played a Yorkbrunner, as far as I know. Or at least thats what the old T.U.B.A Journal has listed in the article about the Yorkbrunner's creation. I'm going to look this recording up when I get to the studio tomorrow. I really like Korngold.

[Ace]

I really like Korngold.

sidebar: In the past, somewhere (for free download) were three of Korngold's "Robin Hood" fanfares arranged for brass quintet...about 1/2 page long each...' anyone know about those...or if there is still a download site?

Some months ago, I found something by Korngold at this site.

http://uhaweb.hartford.edu/lichtmann/brass5tet.html" target="_blank

My brass quintet had a little fun playing through it.

Ace

[tbn.al]

Some months ago, I found something by Korngold at this site.

http://uhaweb.hartford.edu/lichtmann/brass5tet.html" target="_blank

Thank you for posting this. It also has the Elkjer "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" on it. I had lost track of that one. It makes a great closing for a Christmas program.

[SplatterTone]

And then there's the Vince Giordano sound.
http://t-recs.net/mpegs/Giordano/Shout/ ... akdown.mp3
(No longer in print. So you better get it while the getting is good.)