revelation re: "American In Paris" tuba solo

[tofu]

जीवन एक हार्न देने के लिए बहुत छोटा है

[royjohn]

In this Internet Age, research on some things becomes pretty easy. Pulling up images of Paul Whteman's "Orchestra" shows a sousaphone in every picture where the musicians are shown with instruments. Maybe someone will even be able to figure out what model of souzie is being played, as it is fairly clear in some of the photos.

This is an interesting day for this thread. . .I just read a NYT story indicating that the estates of George and Ira Gershwin and the University of Michigan have entered into a long term agreement for the University to produce a critical edition of all the works of the Gershwins. Here's a link to the story:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/14/arts/ ... h_20130914
Those with more low brass credentials than I might write to the University about the role of the tuba/sousaphone in this music. The story indicates that there will be essays included along with the musical manuscripts in this edition. Some of the big works will probably be published first . . .

[Mojo workin']

I heard Gershwin was a big fan of the cimbasso.

No, Ophicleide.

With a last name like that, Paul Whiteman must have been a racist.

[Mojo workin']

The word, "ophicleide", contains some of the same letters as do some words that I find offensive.

Are you trying to suppress my first amendment rights?

The regime hath seen to that.....

[taylorbeaty]

I'd really like to hear it on a sousaphone!

[Z-Tuba Dude]

I wasn't sure about Whiteman performing American in Paris, so I looked at Wikipedia:

"Gershwin composed An American in Paris on commission from the New York Philharmonic. He scored the piece for the standard instruments of the symphony orchestra plus celesta, saxophones, and automobile horns."

You never know about Wikipedia, but the sound of that score is more vast than Rhapsody, which was indeed performed by Whiteman's band.

[J.c. Sherman]

I'd really like to hear it on a sousaphone!

Nothin' wrong with somethin' bell front on that solo... or that work