Good rep for tuba and strings?

[ginnboonmiller]

Hi. I have an opportunity to perform as a soloist with a solid string orchestra locally, and I'd love to get some ideas about what's out there that is worth looking at.

Difficulty isn't a problem. This is a pro group with the time, resources, and talent to play pretty much whatever I throw at them.

Here are my own criteria for finding the right thing to play, though:

1. Musical interest. Not to start a big discussion or anything, but I want to avoid tuba-jock stuff - the audience will be a lot of Brooklyn hipsters and classical music junkies. John Williams and John Stevens just won't fly.

2. My own tastes and proclivities tend towards the avant-garde, and I improvise a lot, and I was a big punk rock type growing up. So genre bending, dissonance, etc. are welcome and encouraged. Or really convincing lyricism, because I do love the pretty.

3. Nothing that lives above the staff for half an hour. I have a good solid high range and a CC tuba. I don't fear the high Gs, but I don't want to end the night with a bunch of wrong notes and pooped chops (another "not to start a big discussion or anything" point here - I have the right horn to play a big concerto, because it's in my hands. I can take care of the technical and musical demands and don't need a little F, thanks).

4. I talk too much and I'm way too opinionated, so just suggest some pieces to look into to perform with this string orchestra and I'll be very grateful. This post is way too long, so don't read it!

[BVD Press]

No clue if they will fit for what you are looking for, but two suggestions:

Plau - Concerto:

http://www.baadsvik.com/index.php?page= ... &Itemid=89

Frackenpohl - Concertino:

http://www.rkingmusic.com/

Sorry, nothing avant guard, etc....

[jtuba]

The Gordon Jacob Tuba Suite is originally for tuba and strings

[katewohlman]

What a great opportunity! My first choice would have to be the Koetsier Concertino (op. 77).

*Not sure that it fits quite into your criteria. I guess it kind of "tuba-jock" like. But it is very audience amenable too.

[Rick Denney]

Frackenpohl - Concertino:

http://www.rkingmusic.com/

A charming piece that should be played more.

RC

Agreed. I seem to recall it is written for string quintet accompaniment, but could be played with a small string orchestra very easily. It is also more accessible for more players, without sounding "easy", which to me improves the musical headroom.

Rick "who needs all the musical headroom he can get" Denney

[Rick Denney]

2. My own tastes and proclivities tend towards the avant-garde, and I improvise a lot, and I was a big punk rock type growing up. So genre bending, dissonance, etc. are welcome and encouraged. Or really convincing lyricism, because I do love the pretty.

You might also look up Jay Rozen, who lives on Lon Gisland, as I recall. He is also into the avant-garde genre, and has an excellent library of stuff like that. He might have something that meets your requirements exactly.

Rick "who would start with the Frackenpohl, however" Denney

[jeopardymaster]

Handel Oboe Concerto in G Minor. Lies REALLY well on tuba, sounds great, lots of chances for flash as well as pretty lines, add ornaments at your own discretion. I did it with piano but original accompaniment is strings only, I believe.

[ginnboonmiller]

Geez, bloke, you're right. I no longer like the music I like now. Convinced by your post. It's all terrible and because I played something at the spur of the moment once, I lost all my talent and taste. I just figured I could pull the wool over everyone else's eyes, too. Dang. Changed man.


Rick - we've had this exchange before, but Jay is an old friend of mine and we had a trio together for years- as usual, people get busy and drift apart but if we ever get in the same room again I'll tell him you said hi!

Thanks for the suggestions, folks, I'll look into all of these (and I had forgotten that the Jacobs is really quite nice after some judicious cuts...).

Except bloke. That one is way too complicated and we'll never get it together.

[peter birch]

The Gordon Jacob Tuba Suite is originally for tuba and strings

are you sure about that? do you have the details (publisher, rental supplier etc)?