Who is this tubist?

[TYA]

I saw this video and was wondering who is the tubist playing the peasant and the bear solo?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SubTHWLW ... re=related" target="_blank


Thank you

[Dylan King]

Looks like William Bell.

[Todd S. Malicoate]

Looks like William Bell.

William Bell didn't wear glasses, and left New York in 1961. I'd bet on Joe Novotny. It's really hard to find a photograph of him on the internet, though.

EDIT: Right on, CK...you posted while I was perusing the net for a photo of Mr. Novotny (unsuccessfully). Great minds and all.

[Chuck Jackson]

William Bell didn't wear glasses, and left New York in 1961.

Actually, he did. On one of the NYPO Young Peoples Concerts there is a clear shot of him with them on.

I'd bet on Joe Novotny.

You'd win that bet. Now, what was he playing on?

It's really hard to find a photograph of him on the internet, though.

Mr. Novotny was said to have hated any notariety whatsoever. I believe he is still alive and I have heard he will only talk to a select few, most notably Don Harry.

Chuck

[TexTuba]

You'd win that bet. Now, what was he playing on?

King Eb?

[Todd S. Malicoate]

Definitely an Eb (the fingerings make that pretty easy). No clue as to the model.

[ZNC Dandy]

http://i41.tinypic.com/2unzy1x.jpg" target="_blank

Here is a pic posted a year or so ago by bloke...

[Chuck Jackson]

C'mon Chuck don't keep us all in suspense-- we're tuba-geeks this is the sort of thing that will drive us all batty until we get the answer

I honestly have no idea. Am as interested as the rest of you.

I think Mr. Novotny was pretty underrated, he sounds great on recordings from that era.

IMHO, Mr. Novotny was the best orchestral tuba player of his time. He got out at the right time and on his own terms. I believe that Chester Schmitz (in his Alex days) and Warren Deck in his earlier years with the NYPO were the only ones better. Pokorny and Bobo round out my top five AMERICAN players.YMMV.

Chuck"yes I know what opinions are like"Jackson

[Ken Herrick]

I would put my money on it being Joe rather than Bill who was both somewhat older and heavier, a rather large fellow.

Yes, did did wear glasses - as did Joe.

Looks like a King Eb on the bear solo with the King CC later.

I remember watching those concerts broadcast on TV on Sunday evenings back when I was is high school. Great stuff.

[Todd S. Malicoate]

It's been established that it is indeed Joe Novotny. Look at the link to the picture posted by Bloke a while back and it's crystal clear. The only open question now is what model of Eb tuba Mr. Novotny is using.

I was incorrect about Mr. Bell wearing glasses since all of the pictures I saw of him in my initial online search showed him without glasses. I did find some after that with him either wearing them or (more often) holding them.

[djwesp]

No one has commented on the thing that stuck out the most to me, as it definitely was NOT the playing.

Look at the children. Talk about a difference in eras. Go to a children's orchestra concert now and you'll see what I mean.

Wes "sounding a lot older than I should...."

[TubaTodd]

Want a picture? Here you go...

NYPO6364.jpg

[Todd S. Malicoate]

Want a picture? Here you go...

Thanks, but a little late. That's the same picture linked to on page 1 of this thread. It's Mr. Novotny in the video.

[TYA]

Want a picture? Here you go...

NYPO6364.jpg

What tuba is this in this picture?

[Mikelynch]

To the list of players playing the .687 bore rotary valve King CC, add Jay McAllister, Phil Cadway and Bill Barber. Those instruments are really amazing.

Lou Pirko (National Symphony) was the prior owner of Joe Novotny's King. Phil Cadway's was one that Mr. Bell owned before the one he played in the NY Phil.

Mike

[TYA]

How does the Meinl Weston copy compare to these king tubas?

[Chuck Jackson]

There's a 1958 concert showing Mr. Bell (I think)

That is, indeed, Mr. Bell. His tenure with the NYPO ended in 1961 with Mr. Novotny starting with the group in the fall of 1961.

Chuck