Recent Recording of Meistersinger for you all to take a peak

[Ben]

I recently performed Meistersinger with the Greenwich Village Orchestra with Pierre Vallet (Metropolitan Opera). I would like to share the overture with you. Enjoy.

http://www.mediafire.com/file/1rbk4l25xrm6544

[bort]

Excellent, good work!

There is a TON of talent in this orchestra (of course, including Ben). I've been fortunate enough to sub for him a few times, and it's a great group (and 'bone section!).

[Ben]

Thank you all for the compliments. It was wonderful working with Maestro Vallet, and the concert was quite a success. I am glad I chose to perform this on my F, a choice that may have contributed to balance.

[Ben]

' great performance!

...and it serves as a reminder that the most listener-appealing tempo to perform that excerpt ('sehr markiert") at an audition is faster than a typical performance tempo - which requires more endurance.

A slower tempo can be seen in a youtube i just found... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XlT3j6pHvc

Other parts of that performance can be heard in this thread: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=48069#p428626

Great hall!

[mark38655]

I'm really enjoying your performance Ben. Did you happen to notice how many mics they used and whether they were large or small diaphragm?

[Ben]

BTW, Is that the 184?

Nope! It's the Alex 155 F - and it held its own (Meistersinger). The big horn in the Finlandia and Processional is the 6/4 Alex 164. I am glad you guys like the stuff.

Did you happen to notice how many mics they used

Mark - unfortunaltely I have no idea how many there were, I did not even know the video was taken.

[Ben]

I'm really enjoying your performance Ben. Did you happen to notice how many mics they used and whether they were large or small diaphragm?

The video was shot by the conductor's associate. The conductor said it was great audio from "the PC mic". I imagine he meant camcorder mic, but now I am amazed. I had imagined this was an official recording with a decent mic. I'm a little shocked.

[Ben]

Somehow I did not see the 155 in your signature, so I assumed it was the Miraphone. Sounds great.

The 164 sounds great, too. How do you like it?

I love the 164 - it is great, but it is a monster to play. It requires an intimate understanding of alternate fingerings and 1st valve slide pulls. Everything can be played in tune easily, it takes some understanding of how to get it all there. As with all big horns, I think it takes a large hall to realize its full sound, It always sounds more mellow and quieter to me than the 163... its very much a supporting role the horn takes, enriching the rest of the sounds in the orchestra. I am very happy to have been able to purchase it from JC Sherman!

[fairweathertuba]

The G trill was great! It always sounds faked on a CC, but on the F tuba is seems to have a better fingering. I haven't played F tuba in a long time so I'm just imagining what I might do.

It is a good recording of a very fine orchestra, thanks for sharing it.

[toobagrowl]

Ben with the Alex 164 on Sibelius' "Finlandia":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt1OBiD9 ... ure=relmfu
I like that Kaisertuba sound Playing in a great hall like Carnegie Hall helps too

[Ben]

The G trill

so the trill A-B is 12-2, and then the G-A I use 4-3-4. It's much easier on F tuba, and honestly, that trill is 80% of the reason I chose this horn, There are moments (begining and end) where I hear the merits of a contrabass tuba.

Kaisertuba sound

- Thanks, but in all honesty, it is easier to play loudly and in tune with capable musicians about. I am very happy to be in that group!