Wes Jacobs "Essential 100"

[Michael Grant]

Hey LJV:

Does the book include the full parts or only the portions that Wes comments on as shown on the sample page?

Thanks,

MG

[tclements]

I have one on the way. Will give a report when I see it.

[ckalaher1]

Looking forward to receiving mine as well......

[Michael Grant]

Sorry to have to repeat myself but I'm not clear. For each excerpt, does the book include the entire part or just parts extracted from each excerpt.

MG

[Wyvern]

LJV, How would you say this excerpt book is better than other such books? Do you find Wes Jacobs comments really useful?

I like the sound of it, but have most of the excerpts otherwise - with the notable exception of the Shostakovich symphonies

[ckalaher1]

I received my book in the mail today, and I think it is going to be a great resource for all tuba players. The author's insight into the pieces is essentially what you're paying for here. 27 of the excerpts are simply the thoughts of the author, with no music. Understandably, this was done due to copyright issues. I was expecting to see actual musical excerpts for all of the pieces listed, but the book is well worth the price regardless. Highly reccomended.

Also, I had no idea that Wes Jacobs used to play with the Carpenters.

[Wyvern]

The most important tuba passages from 100 challenging orchestral works are presented clearly and accurately.

I have just received this book. I must say going from the Publisher's description (above) I feel rather cheated that there are only comments on some of works and no excerpts which is certainly not clear in the book's advertising - would not have ordered if I had prior known

However, the comments are informative and useful, so it does have its good points.

Interesting the differing US ideas of when to use' low' and 'high' tubas. Surprised for example to see the Franck Symphony and Brahms 2 listed for 'low' tuba. Never even considered using my CC when I played - to my ears they are without doubt bass tuba works.

[ckalaher1]

Neptune-

I thought the exact same thing with regards to the Franck. Same goes for Zarathustra. To each his own I suppose.

And why put out excerpts from Mahler 2 and leave out the chorale?

Good book. Worth the price. Will be a staple in tubists library. Great insight from the author. But not without it's disappointments.

[Wyvern]

To my ears, Wes Jacobs is a tuba player's player, but a musician first and of the highest caliber. If he says consider using a certain tuba on the Franck or Brahms 2 then that's something I would do.

A master player and teacher of the highest level has taken the time to give detailed insight into what he considers essentials works. Copyrights exist and published works must abide by them. So, rather than ignore that these works exist, the author recognizes them and gives the same high quality information.

I couldn't care less if it has any printed notation. I have or can get all of the tuba parts to these works.

The real value in this work is the clear, concise instructions Wes Jacobs provides.

...and I guess this will be my last input on this fine work.

I am not saying using Low tuba is wrong in those two works - just that we sometimes have different sound concepts this side of the pond. And I am talking top professionals, rather than just my views.

I see nothing wrong with providing just a commentary on some works (fully understand the copyright issues), but what the book actually is should be clearer. It provides a very useful expert commentary on those 100 works, but does not necessarily provide the "most important tuba passages" as stated.

I am sure a number of tubists will order the book for the difficult to obtain Shostakovich parts, only to be disappointed they are not included. Good if you hold, or can get copies of all the omitted parts (would be interested to see the Bax Picaresque Comedy solo ), but most tubists do not. I find it of limited use, and rather frustrating telling me a piece should be "carefully prepared" if I do not have the music with which to so prepare.

My criticism is with the publisher's marketing, rather than Wes Jacobs excellent work.

[Wyvern]

I sent email to Encore Music and received back a nice reply which I excerpt below for your information;

We take your comments very seriously and we will discuss this matter with our advertising people within a week. You are correct that copyright issues are part of the reason that some excerpts are not printed in the book...Your observation concerning our advertising is well taken and we will take steps to be more clear in the future. We never want to mislead customers about our publications.

I am happy with their response and will now enjoy the book for what it is - A very useful insight into the works from a top professional tubist!

[UDELBR]

Since this thread has been revived: I've found more than a few errors in these "corrected" excerpts. My advice: IMSLP.

[happyroman]

From the ITEA review by Dr. Jerry Young: "Based on his vast experience, Mr. Jacobs has selected what he deems to be the one hundred most important passages for tuba in the orchestral repertoire."

In addition to the excerpts, there is apparently a considerable amount of helpful text. "An especially valuable feature of this text is study guides for twenty-seven works that are copyright restricted and are thus not legally reproducible in print in a book such as this one. As students and teachers have access to those parts from other sources, they can use the valuable information provided here to enhance their study." This quote refers to the Shostakovich, which are marked in the Table of Contents with a (+), which indicates that these selections may not be printed due to copyright restrictions.