Pines of Rome- what to play on the lowest brass part?

[Bob Kolada]

What do you think/have you done (orchestra version)?

[TUbajohn20J]

On the low brass ensemble version, with trombones, euphs, tubas, and percussion, I've always played contrabass on the lowest part.

[MartyNeilan]

What do you think/have you done (orchestra version)?

Done it twice. You want the biggest, loudest, lowest, baddest horn you can lay hands on!
In all seriousness, this is some of the "biggest" playing you will ever do in your career.

I sometimes ask students, do you think you could ever get paid for playing a major scale, half notes, as loud as you can? They invariably say no. Then I show them the part on the last movement.

[THE TUBA]

I played Pines of the Appian Way twice this past fall, and I had no inclination to use any piece of equipment other than a large contrabass tuba. The last ~2 minutes of the piece is fortissimo (and louder) and you're playing almost constantly. There isn't much before then: a couple of incredibly soft whole notes in mvt. III and some loud-ish white notes in mvt. II are the only things under ff. What ever instrument you pick, be sure to bring the decibels in the finale. Tastefully, of course.

[Wyvern]

Having played a couple times I would not consider anything but using a large contrabass tuba (Neptune in my case). My guess is that Respighi had a BBb Kaiser tuba in mind when he wrote.

[Bob Kolada]

Having played a couple times I would not consider anything but using a large contrabass tuba (Neptune in my case). My guess is that Respighi had a BBb Kaiser tuba in mind when he wrote.

But isn't this a 4 trombone thing?

I voted for contrabone.

[Steve Marcus]

Contrabass tuba for orchestra.

When playing the BBb Bass part in the brass band transcription, even more specific recommendation of a 5-valve 6/4 BBb. The final movement begins (concert pitch): low B natural--F--low B natural--F--etc.

[Bob Kolada]

My band has has an arrangement with the same pitches, though it actually has split lines. I believe the other has a long string of B naturals.


I'm glad to see at least 3 other people almost agree with me.

[TexTuba]

So did you create this to see if some folks are as crazy as you?

[Bob Kolada]

So did you create this to see if some folks are as crazy as you?

Mostly to ascertain that everyone else is the same as everyone else.

[TexTuba]

So did you create this to see if some folks are as crazy as you?

Mostly to ascertain that everyone else is the same as everyone else.

[ZNC Dandy]

Never played it in an orchestral setting, but used my old Alexander 163 for a Brass Band performance. It sure is a workout, but sooo worth it.

[UDELBR]

I'm convinced it's a cimbasso part: the score (certainly more credible than the part, which is of course copied from the score) says 4 trombones, and Italian music of that era would most often have a cimbasso at the bottom (Verdi, Puccini).

I've performed this about 15 times, the last 2 on cimbasso. It's the way to go.

[Bob Kolada]

I'm convinced it's a cimbasso part.

What do you think of playing it on a contrabone (given the trombones are on slide instruments)?