Posted by Barry Guerrero on November 30, 2001 at 09:42:39:
In Reply to: Rite of Spring posted by Scott on November 29, 2001 at 10:52:18:
I've played the second part several times. I find the fourth line F-natural, to high F-sharp *thing* just as easy to do on a CC tuba. However, I do find that that repeated drone *thing*, just before the end of Part 1, is better in tune on a smaller horn. IMHO, all of the low stuff requires a big horn to cut through the dense textures. If you've got the room around you, I'd use two horns. If you're comfortable doubling on Euphonium, play the drone passage on one of those - they take up little space. If not, go for the bigger one and really practice. That's what worked for me.
I've heard the "Rite of Spring" played on two F tubas at several professional orchestra concerts, and guess what? - You can't hear a darn thing that the tubas are doing in the lower registers - a lousy situation.
Barry Guerrero
Barry Guerrero