Komm Susser(come Sweet Death) in Tuba Christmas Book

[Brown Mule]

Does any one happen to know why "Komm Susser" is in Tuba CHRISTMAS Book? Its always seemed like an Easter composition to me. Im not a very Theological person but I thought maybe one of you experts might know. We did play it at Tuba Christmas to honor Harvey Phillips and of course it was very much appropriate.

[tclements]

Why ANYONE would play this at a joyous Xmas event boggles my mind.

[Dan Schultz]

Yeah... we played it, too... for the first time I can remember. Us tuba guys knew it was in honor of Harvey and the audience was told so. However... I seriously doubt if anyone appreciated it much.

[Rob]

Interestingly enough the Vol. I of the Tuba Xmas book more clearly states that TubaChristmas was conceived by Harvey as an annual tribute honoring William Bell. Vol II doesn't quite state this as succinctly. Also in the first volume there is a header note above this piece that says, "Premiered May 26, 1973 at the First International Tuba Symposium-Workshop".

If my memory serves me correctly, at some point in the 1980's at a Tubachristmas in Chicago Harvey actually mentioned that this piece in particular was dedicated to Bill Bell. Another interesting link at Windsong Press also would shed some light:

Track 12 is a live recording of the world premier performance of the Ed Sauter arrangement of “Komm Susser Todd” by J.S. Bach. This performance was on the morning of Saturday, May 26, 1973, on the lawn in front of the brand new Indiana University Musical Arts Center. Conducting was New York freelance tubist Don Butterfield. The performers were many of those attending the First International Tuba Symposium-Workshop which was hosted by Mr. Harvey Phillips and the Indiana University School of Music. Some of the attendees did not have an instrument with them and their voices can be heard singing the parts they would normally have played. The voices, the singing of birds in the background and someone playing the practice carillon next door can be heard and give this performance, which was dedicated to the memory of Mr. Bell, an almost ethereal quality. It was a fitting tribute to a great man who was a great musician and a mentor and friend to so many.

this can be found at:

http://windsongpress.x-shops.com/store/ ... t=0&page=1" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

a bit over half way down the page. Perhaps this sheds some light and might answer the question.


Rob

[MileMarkerZero]

The way Sande MacMorran introduces it at the Harriman (east TN) TubaChristmas makes it all make sense. The chorale was Bill Bell's favorite. Bill Bell was born on Christmas day 1902. The other carols in the book were mostly arranged by Alec Wilder, who passed on Christmas Eve 1980. So Komm Susser is played as a tribute to Bill Bell mostly, but also Alec Wilder. Sande usually makes some comments about the immeasurable effect of Bill Bell on the art of playing the tuba, and also about Alec Wilder's contributions to the literature for the instrument.

EDIT: over the years I have had more compliments from audience members on that piece than any of the others. And this year, sadly, we added Harvey to the list.

[jamsav]

it was played at Harveys graveside this past year..a suitably emotional piece of music...

[Tuba Guy]

I love this piece (book version and Air and Bouree). I think it's in the book for all of the Jewish kids who want to play in huge Tuba ensembles, but are tired of the whole Christmas thing

[Alex C]

I love this piece (book version and Air and Bouree). I think it's in the book for all of the Jewish kids who want to play in huge Tuba ensembles, but are tired of the whole Christmas thing

That's a thought.

[Brown Mule]

jamsav------Who played at Harvey's graveside funeral? The Moravians, the military, and the New Orleans bands of course regularly play at funerals. Also what other selections did they play at his funeral.

[Uncle Markie]

It's in the first Tuba christmas book because it ws William Bell's favorite Bach chorale. The arrangements for that collection were done by Eddie Sauter (Sauter-Finergan Orchestra) which Harvey recorded with.

I agree that "Come Sweet Death" is an odd inclusion on Christmas program, but Bell's why it's in there.

Having known Mr. Bell only slightly I can still see why his students were more like disciples - and feel compelled to memorialize him at every opportunity. Don Butterfield certainly did that. As a kid coming up in the NYC scene in the late 1960s, just about every tuba player you heard perform professionally - orchestras, bands, etc., seemed to have studied with William Bell. Not wanting to relocate to Indiana, I never got that opportunity since Bell had retired from the NY Philharmonic just before I came on the scene. So I studied with Don Butterfield, and - you guessed it - worked "Air and Bouree" as arranged by William J. Bell - which starts with Komm Susser Todt!

The tuba ensemble version is a nice arrangement (as are the rest of the selections) and should serve as nice "warm-up" for any tuba ensemble.

Komm, Susser Todt was overused by band directors - there was a nice band arrangement by Calliet that was all the rage in the 1950s - to the point where Karl King was asked about it, and replied, "well, I hope they get their wish".

Mark Heter

[Brown Mule]

In reading Lee Friedlander"s Book "The Jazz People Of New Orleans" he mentions that a Philosophy behind the street bands playing sad songs at the beginning of funerals and happy songs at end signifys " Sadness at birth and happiness at death". maybe this philosophy could be applied to Komm Susser being included in Tuba Christmas book.