Tuba Solos with Orchestra by an American???

[karltuba]

Hi all you tuba players!

I have been asked to perform a tuba Solo with Orchestra on a pops concert right after the summer break next year. So, I am looking for a fun piece that will not kill me too much after being off for a bit of holidays. The main thing though, is it should be by an american composer as the theme of the concert is "America". Does anyone have any really good suggestions?

Thanks so much for your help!

Karl Schimke
Tubist, Sinfonieorchester St.Gallen, Switzerland

[PMeuph]

I wonder how much trouble it would be to re-arrange Ives' "Variations on America" for orchestra and solo tuba?

Honest question: Outside of the USA, would that tune have more recognition as "America" or "God Save the King/Queen"?


PM "who comes from a commonwealth country, and has played the later in enough militia gigs to vote for the latter of the two" euph
_______

Have you looked at this recording?

http://www.amazon.com/American-Music-Tu ... B0002W08IA" target="_blank

[Tom]

Other interesting options to consider:

John Stevens: Journey for [contrabass] tuba and orchestra
Samuel Jones: Tuba Concerto

You should also look into the works of Barbara York, Steve Winteregg, James Grant, and James Woodward. I think all have concertos with available orchestral accompaniment.

[skeath]

Karl,

Long time no hear. I haven't forgotten about your offer to visit Switzerland.

Frackenpohl: Concertino for Tuba and Strings

A fun piece with just a hint of jazz feel, and a gorgeous middle movement. I suspect the string parts could be bought, rather than rented, but not sure.

Regards,

SK

[JHardisk]

Barbara York wrote an excellent concerto for tuba and orchestra. "War and Rumors of War"

http://www.cimarronmusic.com/music-York.cfm" target="_blank

Or, John Williams is an American composer as well. He wrote a little tuba diddy...

[pjv]

Ah, Frackenpohl. Now thats a name I haven't heard for a long time. My first concerto at 14 years of age!

John Williams concerto for tuba was written around 1985 I believe, for Roger Bobo (or at least he did the premiere). Roger used to whimsically divide all music into two categories; love songs & pirate songs. I remember him describing the concerto as being "a love song surrounded by pirate songs."

Good luck.

Pat

[PMeuph]

John Williams concerto for tuba was written around 1985 I believe, for Roger Bobo (or at least he did the premiere).

The Tuba concerto was actually written for Chester Schmitz, as John Williams was the conductor of the Boston Pops at the time. Chester also premiered it.

[eupher61]

I'm not sure York has American citizenship officially...she's native of Canada. I honestly have never asked. The concerto is great, maybe not in the realm of post-holiday as mentioned. Frackenpohl would fit just fine, and it's solid music.

[Davy]

+1 for "Wars and Rumors of War". Performed it last spring on my senior recital on my 186 CC with no trouble. I have also been looking at the John Stevens Concerto (journey). All I can say is.... wow. Not easy at all. Huge jumps (2.5 octaves at times), and alot of different key changes. Without an official recording its hard to hear (at least for me).

[ScottM]

There is a piece by a tubist out of South Bend Indiana that I heard that was well written and lots of fun. I can't remember his name but if Rick Lewis reads this maybe he will know who I am thinking of and the name of the piece
ScottM

[kontrabass]

The John Williams Concerto is not an easy blow - but honestly, you could not pick a more perfect composer to represent an "American" theme on a Pops concert. And it's a melodious piece with some fireworks. Everyone will love it!

[PMeuph]

I'm not sure York has American citizenship officially...she's native of Canada. I honestly have never asked. The concerto is great, maybe not in the realm of post-holiday as mentioned. Frackenpohl would fit just fine, and it's solid music.

Conversely to that, Elizabeth Raum is a native of the USA but has worked in Canada most of her professional career....


'might be worth a listen (The Pershing Concerto):

http://www.amazon.com/Raum-Legend-Heimd ... B0017SRH14" target="_blank

caveat: the orchestra part doesn't seem so hard, but the tubas part would definitely need someone who kept their high range in shape.

[karltuba]

Thank you all for all of your ideas!
I had originally wanted to do the John Williams but the conductor thinks it will be too difficult for the orchestra to get together. I'll look into alot of the suggestions in the next couple of days and let you all know what and when the show will be. One thing that is already programmed is an encore with cheerleaders...
Karl

[J.c. Sherman]

I'd do the Frackenpohl or a "Pyro" piece such as Herbert L. Clarke or Arban with Orchestra. The other works I'm thinking of are either Canadian and/or British and/or Chop busters (they're concertos, after all).

There's a work called "Tofudobeast" which rocks, but is unpublished; I did the premiere and it's fun, acrobatic, but not too deadly on the chops. Tony Markel wrote it. PM me if you want me to track it down. It's one of my favorites for tuba.

J.c.S.

[finnbogi]

I'd do the Frackenpohl or a "Pyro" piece such as Herbert L. Clarke or Arban with Orchestra. The other works I'm thinking of are either Canadian and/or British and/or Chop busters (they're concertos, after all).

Except of course, that Arban was a Frenchman.
But I quite agree on the Frackenpohl.

[Tom]

There's always one of the Herbert L. Clarke cornet "theme and variation" solos.

Always crowd pleasers especially when played on a REALLY big cornet!

Can you point me towards orchestra parts for any of the Clarke solos? I wasn't aware they even existed! I'd love to have a look at what's out there.

Thanks!

[we3kings]

There is a piece by a tubist out of South Bend Indiana that I heard that was well written and lots of fun. I can't remember his name but if Rick Lewis reads this maybe he will know who I am thinking of and the name of the piece
ScottM

I think this is guy you're talking about.

Jerry Lackey, ...received his Bachelor and Masters Degrees in Music Education from Indiana University in 1965 and 1974 respectively. Mr. Lackey has been a band director in the South Bend Community School Corporation since 1965 and is currently band/orchestra director at Clay Middle School in the South Bend Public Schools. He has been Solo Tubaist with the South Bend Symphony since 1966. Mr. Lackey directs the Jazz Ensemble and Wind Ensemble at Indiana University South Bend. He composes and arranges for orchestra, band, jazz band and various other ensembles. His arrangements are featured on 4 compact discs including the Houston Symphony, Utah Symphony and the Rochester Philharmonic. His composition: "Jazz Concerto for Tuba" has been performed by the St. Louis Symphony, Tokyokosei Wind Orchestra and other orchestras and bands throughout the world.

[J.c. Sherman]

I'd do the Frackenpohl or a "Pyro" piece such as Herbert L. Clarke or Arban with Orchestra. The other works I'm thinking of are either Canadian and/or British and/or Chop busters (they're concertos, after all).

Except of course, that Arban was a Frenchman.
But I quite agree on the Frackenpohl.

What the hell is wrong with my head?