It was distributed in the past by Valve-Hearts, but apparently the label is under new management and they have turned over distribution back to Mr. Nickel.
Mr. Nickel is represented by the producer of the CD, Linda de Bruyn-Taylor. Here is what she wrote to me this morning:
Her email address is: debruyntaylor@yahoo.deThe recording is available from Hans direct at this time - or rather from me for Hans. I am the producer of the CD and licensed it to valve-hearts. My own company will be distributing it from this summer. The CD has proved very popular as we thought it would, and there will be a new edition in the autumn. If you have any more enquiries, you can contact us directly via this e-mail address.
Kind regards,
Linda de Bruyn-Taylor for Hans Nickel
I managed to find a British company that still apparently has some stock from when Valve-Hearts was distributing it, at http://www.worldofbrass.com/acatalog/21310.html
I've reviewed the CD before on Tubenet. But for those who didn't see that, this CD includes some important stuff.
It's the only recording I've found that includes the Gregson Concerto with a real orchestral accompaniment, rather than wind band or brass band. That alone is worth the (high) price of the CD--it sounds wonderful. Also included is Gregson's Alarum.
Nickel also performs the Vaughan Williams with orchestral accompaniment (the orchestra for this and for the Gregson is the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra). This is the only performance I've heard which makes a compelling musical case for the articulations and markings in the published version of the RVW, and that alone makes it an important recording.
So, there are two good reasons to buy the CD that are each worth the price.
But wait! There's MORE! Hans Nickel has a sound unlike what I hear from most tuba players on F or Eb tubas these days, except perhaps for Oystein Baadsvik. It has a fatness and lively core to the sound. It's not as ethereal as Lind or as round as Fletcher, but it has an approachable friendliness that I don't hear in the other recordings of the above. Okay, that sounded like wine snobs talking about hints of apricot, but you'll know what I mean when you hear it. It changed my F tuba concept from something like a small contrabass to something with its own unique character.
I think this recording is a must-have in any collection, and it will broaden your perspective in ways you may not expect.
Rick "glad to discover that it is still available" Denney