This new recording - like its earlier companion CD Portrait of an Artist - showcases the incredible artistry, musicianship and teaching of Arnold Jacobs, legendary tubist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra 1944-1988. This unique audio portrait is comprised entirely of recordings of Jacobs' voice from master classes, lectures and interviews, combined with rare recordings of Jacobs as a soloist, brass ensemble member with CSO colleagues, and home practice recordings. The accompanying booklet discusses the enduring legacy and contributions that Arnold Jacobs made to the field of brass teaching and orchestral performance and also includes a recommended list of recordings with the Chicago Symphony. Summit Records
The goal of this project is to preserve Arnold Jacobs’ legacy for future generations by presenting an audio "time capsule" of his voice, magnificent playing, and pristine example. As with his teaching context is everything. This recording presents topics and musical examples in a meaningful sequence. As a result, we encourage you to hear the recording in its entirety. Just as Jake would recommend that students not segment into parts, the fullness and many important subtleties of this story will be best appreciated in context of the whole. Having gained that perspective, subsequent study of individual excerpts is both recommended and strongly encouraged. We dedicate this recording with respect and great affection to the memory of Arnold and Gizella Jacobs. Summit Records
In the old days it was a tradition for musicians to refer to the greatest of players on a given instrument as the King! There is no question that among musicians today (1958), William Bell would be enthroned as King of the Tuba. So fantastic are his achievements on this instrument that the professionals who know and understand its difficulties shake their heads in wonder and amazement when they hear him play. He played with the Bachman Band and the Sousa Band. In 1937 he came to New York to play under Arturo Toscanini and since that time has appeared with most of the major orchestras on radio and television. Toscanini declared William Bell the greatest tuba player he had ever heard. Once at a rehearsal the great conductor suddenly stopped the orchestra and called out “Play that again, please!” Mr. Bell looked puzzled and the maestro explained, “No, no, there is nothing wrong. Play it again, please, just for me. I have never heard that passage played with such a lovely tone!” Coming from Toscanini this was adulation of the highest order. By Harvey Phillips Foundation
The mouthpiece is placed in the Buzz Aid to add resistance while buzzing through it’s two holes. It can also be placed in the instrument’s receiver to simulate playing the instrument while buzzing. They are available for horn, trumpet, tenor or bass trombone and tuba.
Bach's Unaccompanied Suites beautifully and meticulously edited for Tuba by Ralph Sauer, 48 page textbook. Mr. Sauer's thoughtful version of the Six Suites gives the performer "room to breathe" musically. To quote Mr. Sauer and Pablo Casals,"I refrained from using fanciful descriptive terms such as con brio, or quasi una fantasia because they may suggest a particular style...This transcription is not intended to be a blueprint to be followed exactly, but rather, it is the raw material from which a personal interpretation can be built."To quote Pablo Casals, "Where interpreting Bach's music is concerned, there are no hard and fast rules...The best thing to do is to discard all preconceived ideas and try to approach in our performances whatever the music conveys to us.
J.S. Bach, the genius of Baroque music & the "Father" of Western Music composed three exquisite Sonatas for Viola da Gamba. They are now available for Tenor Trombone & Piano, beautifully transcribed by former Principal Trombonist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Ralph Sauer. This edition is truly fully exploits the musical & technical depths of the Tuba or Bass Trombone. A must for all serious performers.
Finally, Maestro Bobo's DVD masterclass is available. Produced in Japan, it contains some of the finest musical advice and insight for musicians, students of brass and tubists.
Some of the works performed include: Strauss-Concerto #1, Stevens-Variations in Olden Style, Koetsier-Concertino, Madsen-Sonata & Schumann-Adagio & Allegro.Below are some words from Roger Bobo of his thoughts in producing a DVD masterclass.
"This will be some of the most valuable 2 1/2 hours spent in front of a screen. Throughout my student and professional days I have been inspired and motivated by watching many masterclasses (usually on television) presented by many of the great musicians of our time. It was many years ago that I first got the idea to try to create such a masterclass of my own but was always held back by thinking, "No, I?m not ready yet". The difficult fact is that I still feel that same "Not readiness". But having now completed 7 decades on this planet, it seemed prudent to proceed with the masterclass project, ready or not, and fortunately at this time a DVD seemed the perfect medium."
Roger Bobo
A beautiful new transcription for Tuba or Bass Trombone & Piano of three Brahms pieces: Ballade Op. 118, No3; Intermezzo Op. 118, No. 2; Intermezzo Op. 119, No. 3. Mr. Sauer has skillfully transcribed these three famous piano works for Tuba or Bass Trombone and Piano. The 3 movements total about 12 minutes in length and can be performed by an advanced performer. There is a great range of technique required as these are not songs, but piano works. A perfect addition to your recital or concert.
Over 250 works and 5000 pages of orchestral Low Brass parts in the public domain including Beethoven, Brahms, Berlioz, Bruckner, Dvorak, Mahler, Mendelssohn, Strauss, Stravinsky, Tchaikowsky, Wagner and many more. All in pdf files on a single CD ROM and includes future updates. Sorry, no sales outside the United States.
Victor Ewald is primarily known for his beautiful brass quintet works. The Romance, Opus 2 is originally for Cello or Viola, but lends itself perfectly for Tuba or Bass Trombone also. The work of about 3 minutes is in A-B-A form and has a light delightful lilt to it. The Romance is written in bass clef and is for moderately advanced performers, a great piece for a recital.
The Three Preludes, originally published for Piano in 1926, have been transcribed by Ralph Sauer in this first ever edition for Tuba or Bass Trombone & Piano. About 6 minutes in length, the Preludes are "jazzy", "bluesy" and a lot of fun to play, plus, very entertaining for audiences. This transcription, in bass is suitable for advanced performers with a range from a pedal G to a D above the staff. Prelude No. 1 has a bluesy motif with a strong jazz feel. Prelude No. 2, "Blue Melody", is a sad song also with a blues feel using lots of sevenths and a major/minor duality. Prelude No. 3, "Spanish Prelude" features lots of synocopations and a battle between major & minor with the major winning out in the end. This work will make a fantastic conclusion to your recital.
The Serenade, Op. 37 was conceived for Cello with Piano accompaniment, but later in life the composer scored the work for the solo instrument with orchestra. The Low Brass world knows Rimsky-Korsakov for his Trombone Concerto with Band. The Serenade has a very similar mood to the slow movement of that Concerto. It's beautiful lilting rhythm combined with a wonderful melody makes this work very worthwhile. Mr. Sauer works his editing magic to the 4 1/2 minute work. For advanced performers.
The Romance, Opus 36 originally for Horn is elegant with rich textures. Mr. Sauer has masterfully transcribed this 3 minute work for advanced performers.
Satie wrote these three short, atmospheric pieces in 1888 originally for piano. They are all in 3/4 time, sharing a simple, soothing, common theme and gentle in nature. Ralph Sauer has done a beautiful job of editing these works for Tuba & Piano. The simplicity of the music is its genius. For moderately advanced performers. Each movement is about 2 to 3 minutes in length.
This Impromptu No. 3 is a beautiful example of Schubert's genius for long melodic line. Mr. Sauer has done a beautiful job of editing this work of about 5 3/4 minutes in length. This work can be performed by intermediate performers.
Scenes From Childhood (Kinderscenen), Opus 15 is a set of 13 pieces of music that Schumann wrote for Piano in 1838. They are his reminiscences of childhood and have been beautifully scored for Tuba & Piano by Ralph Sauer. The most well known of the movements is Tråumerei (Dreaming) and has been used in movies to portray love scenes because of its tenderness and beauty. The music is for advanced performers and the collection contains close to 20 minutes of some very sublime & poetic music. Any of these pieces can be inserted into a recital program.
A beautiful Suite in 4 movements for Tuba or Bass Trombone transcribed & edited by Ralph Sauer, former Prinicpal Trombonist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. Prelude, Courante, Recitative & Fugue, Menuet are the 4 Baroque dance movements for advanced players.
Finally, an arrangement for CC tuba of the well-known “Carnival of Venice”. The piano part has been edited slightly to give the accompanist a break from the monotony of the original.
Finally, an arrangement for CC tuba of the well-known “Carnival of Venice”. The piano part has been edited slightly to give the accompanist a break from the monotony of the original.
J.S. Bach's famous Arioso From Cantata No. 156 (Air on the G String) has been arranged for nearly every instrument. Finally Micky Wrobleski has arranged this for Tuba and Piano.
