Bartok Viola Concerto

[Z-Tuba Dude]

Hey folks,

Has anybody ever played the Bartok Viola Concerto? If so, how interesting is the tuba part? I presume it's not a major part, but hey, you never know! : )

[Ace]

I haven't played it, but have played a few other Bartok works, none of which had demanding tuba parts. (Have not played Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra.) In the Viola Concerto, LUCKS MUSIC site shows the brass is scored for 3 horns; 3 trumpets; 2 trombones; tuba. The piece is 21 minutes long, and the tuba part probably is inconsequential. Enjoy it for what it is.

Ace

[Mark Moore]

I played a Bartok viola concerto about 20 years ago here in Urbana. The soloist was a violist from a major university in the next state. It was told to us that he realized the concerto from some Bartok notes (just saying what I was told). We rehearsed, and from the dress rehearsal to the concert, he wrote completely different parts for us (the whole orchestra). We sight read them on the concert. As I recall, it was interesting, no one died and I got paid. A fairly involved part, but I have no idea what someone else might realize.