vaughan williams tuba concerto

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Michael Bush
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Re: vaughan williams tuba concerto

Post by Michael Bush »

k001k47 wrote:
I thought it was the Sonata as a whole that's piano hell. Although, the first movement sounds plenty challenging.
I'm not a piano player, so I couldn't say much about it. What I remember (after 30+ years) was that at times she would cock her head in a perplexed way, and try again on a particular passage. The look I remember suggested "This is crazy." But she is a very good pianist and was quite equal to the part. She certainly never complained. No telling how many times she's played it since the Army discovered her.
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k001k47
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Re: vaughan williams tuba concerto

Post by k001k47 »

talleyrand wrote:
k001k47 wrote:
I thought it was the Sonata as a whole that's piano hell. Although, the first movement sounds plenty challenging.
I'm not a piano player, so I couldn't say much about it. What I remember (after 30+ years) was that at times she would cock her head in a perplexed way, and try again on a particular passage. The look I remember suggested "This is crazy." But she is a very good pianist and was quite equal to the part. She certainly never complained. No telling how many times she's played it since the Army discovered her.

I don't know how great painists process so much info from a sheet of music so quickly. It's definitely a superhuman trait: more so with organ players. Although, people pay more attention to superhuman athletic feats, like winning a bunch of olympic medals. Uhhh... back to the Vaughan Williams.

I really think you should play something within or close to your limits. Definitley, challenge yourself, but not to the point of burden and frustration. I'll bet all tuba audition panels are tired of hearing an 'okay Vaughan Williams' anyway. . . Or in my case, a bad one :lol:
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Re: vaughan williams tuba concerto

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Cant carry a tune but I can carry a tuba.
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b.williams
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Re: vaughan williams tuba concerto

Post by b.williams »

(What follows is one man's opinion) I have listened to many renditions of the Vaughn Williams. Even the best of the best are not that memorable. The concerto is a bitch to play musically. Yet, the results do not justify the effort required. On the other hand, about thirty years ago, I heard Toby Hanks play From the Shores of the Mighty Pacific. Oh my freak'n gawd!!! He played the whole 1st variation (the slurred sixteenth notes) section in one breath!!! My point is play something that they will remember. Think outside the box. The audition committee is made up of musicians who want to hear something awesome!!
Good luck!!
Last edited by b.williams on Tue Dec 11, 2012 9:24 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: vaughan williams tuba concerto

Post by Uncle Buck »

bloke wrote:This is really the only one out there to model:

http://www.amazon.com/Vaughan-Williams- ... B000003F2J

You can download all three movements for $2.97

It is not on youtube.
Thanks for the tip. Best $2.97 I've spent in a long time . . .
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