Hello everyone!
I am working on my final project for my undergrad, and I'm writing about Paul Bernard and his presence as a french tuba player.
Does anyone know of any books, articles, journals, or even a webpage that has information about him? I am having a very hard time finding sources related to him.
Thank you!
Noah Reisdorff
Info on Paul Bernard?
-
NoReisTubaPlaying
- bugler

- Posts: 59
- Joined: Sun Mar 29, 2015 2:28 am
- Location: Decorah, Iowa/ Gretna, Nebraska
Info on Paul Bernard?
Luther College (BM Performance/ Management Minor)
4/4 W. Nirschl CC
Meinl Weston 45SLP F
4/4 W. Nirschl CC
Meinl Weston 45SLP F
-
arpthark
- 5 valves

- Posts: 1195
- Joined: Thu Feb 28, 2008 4:14 pm
Re: Info on Paul Bernard?

Source for photo: http://saxhorneuphoniumtuba.free.fr/sec ... e&artid=38
Some recordings: https://pastdaily.com/2013/10/13/music- ... ramophone/
From the above site: "Two Serenades for Three Trombones and Tuba, featuring members of the Orchestre National Trombone section with Paul Bernard on Tuba. Since it’s a radio recital from the ORTF, it’s a best guess estimate this broadcast was from 1953. In any event, it is highly unlikely this recording has seen the light of day since it first aired." https://pastdaily.com/wp-content/upload ... d-tuba.mp3
This book mentions him (maybe consider ILL if you have time?): https://books.google.com/books/about/Fr ... YJAQAAMAAJ
Here is some info on him from an article on trombone (https://www.historicbrass.org/edocman/h ... _Lapie.pdf):
"A class for tuba and saxhorn was taught at the Conservatoire, first on a trial basis (1944-
56), but made official in 1956 by the director Marcel Dupré. Later, the bass trombone
was added to this class, which was taught by Paul Bernard (1912-1981), who had already
assumed this responsibility beforehand. A member of the Opéra orchestra, Bernard was
charged with ensuring the organization, administration, and development of this discipline,
which was in a state of confusion."
Hope this helps. This was just me Googling for five minutes, so maybe now that you have some leads, you can dig in a bit deeper!
- Art Hovey
- pro musician

- Posts: 1508
- Joined: Sun May 02, 2004 12:28 am
- Location: Connecticut
Re: Info on Paul Bernard?
I just checked my copy of Bernard's "Methode Complete", which is very interesting but contains no biographical info.
- Art Hovey
- pro musician

- Posts: 1508
- Joined: Sun May 02, 2004 12:28 am
- Location: Connecticut
Re: Info on Paul Bernard?
Listening to the "Two Serenades" recording linked above I wondered whether Bernard did it on the F tuba in photo or on the "petite tuba francais", i.e. 6-valve euphonium in C which was still in use back then. I heard what I thought sounded like a euph in one passage, and toward the end there was a low note on the tuba which was rather embarassing. Did anyone else listen to it?
-
arpthark
- 5 valves

- Posts: 1195
- Joined: Thu Feb 28, 2008 4:14 pm
Re: Info on Paul Bernard?
Here is another photo of Monsieur Bernard and his studio in 1969 with a small six-valve French C tuba on the piano: 
Based on the timbre of the lick at the end of that recording, my guess is that it's the small French C.

Based on the timbre of the lick at the end of that recording, my guess is that it's the small French C.