Tuba Concerto in F minor (Vaughan Williams)
Encyclopedia
The Tuba Concerto in F minor by the British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams
dates from 1954. Vaughan Williams wrote the concerto for Philip Catelinet, principal tubist of the London Symphony Orchestra
(LSO), and Catelinet was the soloist in the premiere on 13 June 1954, with Sir John Barbirolli
conducting. Catelinet was also the soloist in the work's first recording made that same year, again with Barbirolli and the LSO.
repertoire for professionals.
The work is in three movements:
A performance commonly takes about 13 minutes.
, James Gourlay, Michael Lind, and Peter Whish-Wilson. In addition to Catelinet's pioneering recording, other recordings of the concerto have featured the following artists:
Ralph Vaughan Williams
Ralph Vaughan Williams OM was an English composer of symphonies, chamber music, opera, choral music, and film scores. He was also a collector of English folk music and song: this activity both influenced his editorial approach to the English Hymnal, beginning in 1904, in which he included many...
dates from 1954. Vaughan Williams wrote the concerto for Philip Catelinet, principal tubist of the London Symphony Orchestra
London Symphony Orchestra
The London Symphony Orchestra is a major orchestra of the United Kingdom, as well as one of the best-known orchestras in the world. Since 1982, the LSO has been based in London's Barbican Centre.-History:...
(LSO), and Catelinet was the soloist in the premiere on 13 June 1954, with Sir John Barbirolli
John Barbirolli
Sir John Barbirolli, CH was an English conductor and cellist. Born in London, of Italian and French parentage, he grew up in a family of professional musicians. His father and grandfather were violinists...
conducting. Catelinet was also the soloist in the work's first recording made that same year, again with Barbirolli and the LSO.
Composition and history
While at first viewed as the eccentric idea of an aging composer, the concerto soon became one of Vaughan Williams' most popular works, and an essential part of the tubaTuba
The tuba is the largest and lowest-pitched brass instrument. Sound is produced by vibrating or "buzzing" the lips into a large cupped mouthpiece. It is one of the most recent additions to the modern symphony orchestra, first appearing in the mid-19th century, when it largely replaced the...
repertoire for professionals.
The work is in three movements:
- Prelude: Allegro Moderato
- Romanza: Andante Sostenuto
- Finale - Rondo alla tedesca: Allegro
A performance commonly takes about 13 minutes.
Recordings
Vaughan Williams' concerto has since received a number of concert performances and recordings. Live performances include those by Gerard HoffnungGerard Hoffnung
Gerard Hoffnung was an artist and musician, best known for his humorous works.- Early years :Born in Berlin, and named Gerhard, he was the only child of a well-to-do Jewish couple, Hildegard and Ludwig Hoffnung...
, James Gourlay, Michael Lind, and Peter Whish-Wilson. In addition to Catelinet's pioneering recording, other recordings of the concerto have featured the following artists:
- RCA: John FletcherJohn Fletcher (tubist)John Fletcher was an English tuba player. Along with composer Derek Bourgeois he played tuba in the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. Both arrived at Cambridge where there was only one tuba position. Fletcher switched to horn, even performing Britten's Serenade for Tenor and Horn...
; London Symphony OrchestraLondon Symphony OrchestraThe London Symphony Orchestra is a major orchestra of the United Kingdom, as well as one of the best-known orchestras in the world. Since 1982, the LSO has been based in London's Barbican Centre.-History:...
, André PrevinAndré PrevinAndré George Previn, KBE is an American pianist, conductor, and composer. He is considered one of the most versatile musicians in the world, and is the winner of four Academy Awards for his film work and ten Grammy Awards for his recordings. -Early Life:Previn was born in...
, conductor - Chandos: Patrick Harrild; London Symphony OrchestraLondon Symphony OrchestraThe London Symphony Orchestra is a major orchestra of the United Kingdom, as well as one of the best-known orchestras in the world. Since 1982, the LSO has been based in London's Barbican Centre.-History:...
, Bryden ThomsonBryden ThomsonBryden Thomson was a Scottish conductor.Bryden Thomson was born in Ayr. He led several British orchestras, including the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra and the Ulster Orchestra from 1977 to 1985...
, conductor - Deutsche Grammophon: Arnold JacobsArnold JacobsArnold Jacobs was an American orchestral tuba player who was most known as the principal Tubist for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 1944 until his retirement in 1988....
; Chicago Symphony OrchestraChicago Symphony OrchestraThe Chicago Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the five American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1891, the Symphony makes its home at Orchestra Hall in Chicago and plays a summer season at the Ravinia Festival...
, Daniel BarenboimDaniel BarenboimDaniel Barenboim, KBE is an Argentinian-Israeli pianist and conductor. He has served as music director of several major symphonic and operatic orchestras and made numerous recordings....
, conductor - Naxos: James Gourlay; Royal Ballet Sinfonia, Gavin Sutherland, conductor
- Capriccio: Richard Nahatzki; Berlin Symphony Orchestra, Hans E. Zimmer, conductor
- Caprice: Michael Lind; Stockholm Radio Symphony Orchestra, Leif SegerstamLeif SegerstamLeif Segerstam is a Finnish conductor and composer.He studied violin, piano and conducting at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki and conducting at the Juilliard School in New York with Jean Morel....
, conductor - BIS: Øystein BaadsvikØystein Baadsvik- Biography :He began playing the tuba at the age of fifteen at his school in Trondheim, Norway, and won first prize at eighteen in a Norwegian national competition for soloists.He studied under the tuba player Harvey Phillips and with Arnold Jacobs...
; Singapore Symphony OrchestraSingapore Symphony OrchestraThe Singapore Symphony Orchestra is a 96 members professional symphony orchestra. Its main performing venue is the Esplanade Concert Hall in Singapore although it has also toured widely in Asia, Europe and the United States...
, Anne Manson, conductor - David Unland; Cornell University Wind Ensemble
- Walter Hilgers; Frankfurt Symphony Orchestra