Short Ride on a Fast Machine

[Mark]

I've notced that this John Adams work has appeared on a few audition lists. I've heard the piece, but I don't rememeber there being a "stand-out" tuba part.

Has anyone played this? What was the tuba part like?

[Mark]

Very tricky tuba part. I've played it several times and it's a real tester for breathing. There is a long passage (with bass trombone) of: quaver - quaver rest - quaver, which leaps around and is constantly a punchy forte + dynamic. This is followed by some draining powerful long notes. Definately check it out first. There is a good recording of the CBSO under Simon Rattle (with whom I have played it).

Thanks. I assumed it must be difficult to play or it wouldn't be on the audition lists. I'll buy the recording. Locating a copy of the tuba part may be a little harder.

[Jay Bertolet]

This is a wonderful piece and I even have it in my rotation of CDs in the car. My fav is the one with Edo De Waart and San Francisco. Floyd sounds amazing here. I've often wondered why this piece doesn't show up more, there are parts of it that are near unplayable. The two main sections to look at are the "duple" section in the middle of the piece (rest of the orchestra is playing in one time signature while you're playing in another with the low strings) and the long, low, loud section that Ian mentioned. That part in particular is the one I'd suspect to come up at the Pittsburgh audition (just a guess, I really have no idea) but I pity the committee for having to listen to that passage. A series of very loud sustained notes that jump back and forth from very low range to near top of the staff. If you have less air or are inefficient at all in the embouchure, you're cooked. Rotsa Ruck!

[Tom]

Where can one purchase the tuba part to this work?

I'd sure like to have a look at it sometime.