Norwegian Star vs. 983 for Sibelius?

The bulk of the musical talk
Post Reply
User avatar
elihellsten
bugler
bugler
Posts: 98
Joined: Mon Feb 27, 2012 3:13 pm
Location: Sweden

Norwegian Star vs. 983 for Sibelius?

Post by elihellsten »

Hi. Next week I'll be playing some Sibelius. The whole second symphony + Finlandia, and excerpts from some of his other works. Problem is all I got is E-flat tubas to choose from...
Last rehearsal I played on my Star, and although it felt better than I expected it's still obviously lacking some volume etc.
I do have the opportunity to borrow a Besson 983 if I want to. But would it be better suited? Besides me not having to bring the Star on the train, are there any benefits? Opinions?

Big thanks in advance // quick answers would be good! :-)
Brass band
eupher61
6 valves
6 valves
Posts: 2790
Joined: Tue Oct 10, 2006 9:37 pm

Re: Norwegian Star vs. 983 for Sibelius?

Post by eupher61 »

I don't know which one would be best....just, I'm jealous anytime I hear someone is playing Sibelius 2nd. I simply love it. Musically, and probably the fewest rests of any major symphony.
User avatar
Lectron
4 valves
4 valves
Posts: 771
Joined: Sun Sep 04, 2011 5:25 am
Location: Norway

Re: Norwegian Star vs. 983 for Sibelius?

Post by Lectron »

There's a 981 down there in your signature.
That one would probably give the broadest foundation thou there's really no huge differences between the three.
It is also the one that sounds the most boring and blends the worst with the trombones ;-)
Melton 200 -=- Melton 2141 -=- Cerveny 883 Opera -=- Besson 992 -=- MPCs: 3pcs steel (Sellmansberger/Parker)
User avatar
elihellsten
bugler
bugler
Posts: 98
Joined: Mon Feb 27, 2012 3:13 pm
Location: Sweden

Re: Norwegian Star vs. 983 for Sibelius?

Post by elihellsten »

The 981 is not were I am, at the moment it sits in a concert hall in Malmö. That's about an hour from here by train, and I won't be able to make it there before the weekend. And, as you say, it does not exactly blend very well.

Anybody?
Brass band
BAtlas
bugler
bugler
Posts: 115
Joined: Wed Jan 13, 2010 4:58 pm

Re: Norwegian Star vs. 983 for Sibelius?

Post by BAtlas »

I would second the 983. I've (unfortunately) been in this situation before with only a 983 on hand and did okay for some bigger rep (it certainly wasn't my gronitz pck, and I really wanted it when we did Night on Bald Mountain). In the past, I've used a bigger mouthpiece on the 983 to darken the sound when playing in an orchestra.
Principal Tubist - Des Moines Symphony
Lecturer - Tuba/Euphonium - University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Gronitz PCK, Besson 983
User avatar
elihellsten
bugler
bugler
Posts: 98
Joined: Mon Feb 27, 2012 3:13 pm
Location: Sweden

Re: Norwegian Star vs. 983 for Sibelius?

Post by elihellsten »

I did borrow the 983. It worked out fine. Better than what I expected. I used a Helleberg.
Brass band
Post Reply