Posted by Hmm... on November 29, 2003 at 08:44:31:
In Reply to: Re: Re: London SO Trom/Tuba section 1922 posted by C(G) on November 28, 2003 at 20:02:15:
A compensator certainly but not a Bb IMO. 1st valve slide looks Eb length to me.
This Tuba looks to have a good sized bell - somewhat larger than the average Boosey in 1922. They made a LOT of prototype, experimental models around this time I believe. Perhaps this is one?
I know John Fletcher stated (not in so many words...) that the 'standard' Orchestral Tuba was pitched in F prior to his arrival on the Orchestral scene; the Eb 'Bombardons' reserved for those playing in Brass Bands who were always pitched in Eb and Bb. I wonder when the fixed-notion of 'F' being 'the' orchestral instrument came about? Perhaps this corresponds loosely with C Tubas being 'the' instrument in the US?