Bydlo - Toscanini and NBC Symphony Orchestra

[dsurkin]

I was listening to this recording yesterday and it seems to me that the Bydlo solo was not being played on a euphonium - or if it was, perhaps the age of the recording affected the timbre. Is anyone familiar with this recording?

[davewerden]

I assume you mean this one:

I'm pretty sure that is not a tuba. It almost sounds like a trombone! But at the time this was made it is nearly certain that if someone played it on euphonium it would have been on a small, American-style euphonium. In addition, the treatment of note connections sounds like it is a trombonist who is not comfortable playing a valved instrument and is manipulating the slurs with his tongue.

[dsurkin]

[snip]I'm pretty sure that is not a tuba. It almost sounds like a trombone! But at the time this was made it is nearly certain that if someone played it on euphonium it would have been on a small, American-style euphonium. In addition, the treatment of note connections sounds like it is a trombonist who is not comfortable playing a valved instrument and is manipulating the slurs with his tongue.

It doesn't surprise me that the part is played by a trombonist. Doesn't Joseph Alessi play the Bydlo solo when the NY Philharmonic performs "Pictures?" The one time I saw the Philharmonic perform "Pictures," Alessi was on leave that day and they had a guest perform it on euphonium.

[djwpe]

It doesn't surprise me that the part is played by a trombonist. Doesn't Joseph Alessi play the Bydlo solo when the NY Philharmonic performs "Pictures?" The one time I saw the Philharmonic perform "Pictures," Alessi was on leave that day and they had a guest perform it on euphonium.

No. Al Baer typically plays it on F tuba. Last time, The NY Times Critic made a snide remark which I thought was unwarranted, having been at that performance.

You may be thinking of Mahler 7, where Joe plays the tenor horn part. He’s played it on a Yamaha Neo English baritone in the past, but the last time I asked him about it he said he’ll probably use euphonium next time.

Colin Williams as Assoc. Principal trombone normally handles the valve work, although a few years ago Demondrae played Ein Heldenleiben when Colin wasn’t available.

Don

[bbocaner]

No. Al Baer typically plays it on F tuba. Last time, The NY Times Critic made a snide remark which I thought was unwarranted, having been at that performance.

Don

I actually like really hearing it on F tuba, it adds a clumsiness and a big sound that compliments the music well. As a euphonium player who wants to play it again myself I will never admit to having said that.

[RickF]

One of the best I’ve heard was by Allessandro Fossi. I think on F tuba.

-- e̶d̶i̶t̶,̶ ̶h̶e̶ ̶p̶l̶a̶y̶e̶d̶ ̶a̶ ̶C̶ ̶t̶u̶b̶a̶--

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx6Eo6liyCg

[MarChant]

One of the best I’ve heard was by Allassandro Fossi. I think on F tuba.

-- edit, he played a C tuba --

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx6Eo6liyCg

I am pretty sure he plays Bydlo on an F tuba. On his website, he tells a story about the moments before that recording, and he says he dented his C tuba, but just before he says "I took my tubas, and I was finally walking to the theater..."
I doubt that a professional player with both an F and a C tuba would play Bydlo on his C.
Also, and more importantly, the tuba he plays in the video looks like a B&S 3100. You can also see the bottom bow of his larger (probably CC) tuba next to him in some shots.

[RickF]

Thanks Martin. I thought he used his 'F' tuba but then read the scary story of him loosing his car keys and denting his 'C' tuba on the way to the gig. I just assumed he must have used his 'C', but you're right, he did say tubas... plural.

The story if anyone is interested:
https://www.alessandrofossi.net/2017...a-performance/