Symphony for Organ and Six Tubas by John White

[davetubaking]

Board members may be interested to hear a performance of this piece http://www.davetubaking.com/2.html" target="_blank" target="_blank . You can also read some background about it.

Unusual but interesting. As you will see with the composers approval this performance is with massed tubas 18 in all (and of course the Organ). And I've introduced some antiphonal effects in the outer movements.

I would be interested in any comments about the piece and of course the performance.

Any one interested in performing this piece can PM me and I can put you in touch with the composer.

[davetubaking]

Well no comments from the members but one professional has PMed me about a possible performence so that could be a result as it's not had a live performance since 1965.

[Bandsman79]

I'm having a second listen to it as I type. Very interesting to say the least...

My question would be: What would be the minimum personnel requirement to perform it? Would it be possible as per the title with Organ and 6 tubas? I appreciate that you have scored it for 18...

Many thanks.

[davetubaking]

Oh yes it's written for six players the highest would need a Euph the second high Tuba/Euph then two bass and two contrabass probably. I felt it lacked a lot as a straight perfomance by six players sat still on a small stage. The massed tubas and antiphonal effects and much of the dynamics and articulations (bell passage in the 5th movement) and doublings etc are my performance decisions. The score is very bare with hardly any dynamics or performance indications. But the composer seems happy for as many liberties to be taken as the performer wants. Which I quite like.

[Bandsman79]

Oh yes it's written for six players the highest would need a Euph the second high Tuba/Euph then two bass and two contrabass probably. I felt it lacked a lot as a straight perfomance by six players sat still on a small stage. The massed tubas and antiphonal effects and much of the dynamics and articulations (bell passage in the 5th movement) and doublings etc are my performance decisions. The score is very bare with hardly any dynamics or performance indications. But the composer seems happy for as many liberties to be taken as the performer wants. Which I quite like.

I'd be very interested to have a look at the score - you can mark it in any way you see fit to protect copyright etc. if at all possible? I might try to see if there is any interest within British military bands as that is probably the only place you'll find enough players willing to give it a go on our side of the pond!