Die Meistersinger

[tubaman1019]

I just want to see your opinions/ preference of horn to use for this work. After a Master class, Yasuhito Sugiyama of the Cleveland orchestra mentioned to me that he plays Die Meistersinger on an F tuba. Me, being a young tuba player in college was a little surprised by this. I've always practiced this piece on CC and performed it twice. I tried it on the F the other day and kinda liked how it sounded on a smaller horn but I'm still leaning towards playing it on the CC.

Also, thinking historically, the contrabass tuba WAS invented during Wagners time...maybe Wagner intended the piece to be played on a bass tuba? Theres no indication on the part whether its written for bass or C.B. and if I recall correctly, Wagner was very specific on what instruments he wanted in his orchestras.

Anyway, I just wanted to see your opinions and/or experiences with this. Thanks

[Biggs]

Bloke has referenced Roger Bobo's approach to/performance of this overture when this question was asked on TubeNet in the past, and I'm surprised he didn't here.

So my advice is actually Bloke's: check out Meisterbobo.

[J.c. Sherman]

+1 to Bloke...

I also use F for Meistersinger, and performed it a couple months ago on it. It's not a dominant part, and the trill is much cleaner - IMHO - on an F... here's a trick to try, BTW - pull your fifth (if a flat whole tone) out about another 1/8 tone (on my 621, all the way to the bell), then trill with the thumb... works on some CCs as well without the pull

Ron Bishop - IIRC - used a 184 on their last recording of it (2001?). It is so perfect, musical, and balanced it makes you cry... and contemplate throwing your instrument under a bus!

I like Yasuhito's approach in general; he uses BBb quite often, Yorkbrunner for his workhorse, and F more frequently than most... and he sounds glorious on that F!

J.c.S.

[UDELBR]

Works great on Eb, too.

[JohnSzkutko]

That trill is a perfect lip trill on a Bb contrabass

Now to practice lip trills

[MikeMason]

C for first page.f for second page

[J.c. Sherman]

C for first page.f for second page

This is a viable strategy...or even...

...C for the first and last lines of the piece, F for the rest.

trivia: Ron Bishop's 184 is one that I bought new in 1976.

That horn is exquisite! I love mine equally, but this is the only 5-valver that performs as well as a 4. How could you give that puppy up??
J.c.S.