Posted by Dan Bradley on March 06, 2001 at 08:53:07:
In Reply to: helicons in the concert halls posted by Joe S. on March 06, 2001 at 00:46:35:
This brings up a funny story. Ron Bishop once told me about just such a circumstance when he was playing a staging of Wozzeck with the Cleveland Orchestra and Christoph von Dohnanyi. He thought that Dohnanyi would want some bite to the sound, so Bishop brought in the little Yamaha 621 F tuba to play the part. Well, Dohnanyi said that Bishop didn't sound "Farty" enough with the little Yamaha. So for the next rehearsal, Bishop brought in a 19th century 3-valve E-flat Helicon! Dohnanyi apparently thought that it fit, and Bishop ended up using it for the Cleveland concerts and even a trip to Carnegie Hall! So I guess the answer to your question is yes- when the circumstances are right.
Dan B.