Posted by Lee Stofer on March 26, 2002 at 12:12:19:
In Reply to: Best ever? posted by Dan M on March 24, 2002 at 17:46:59:
That is as wide-open question as asking for an opinion of best-ever composers. None of us has been able to hear the 19th century players, some of which were great. No one has mentioned August Helleberg, whom I suspect was no slouch, or any of the Sousa band players, such as Jack Richardson or "the Chief". No one has mentioned Joe Tarto, or Fred Pfaff, who played with New York on many of their early recordings (he played the string bass parts- all of them- on tuba, so they would be heard on the primitive recordings- now HE had some virtuosity!).
I think that limiting a list to 5 or 10 does not do anyone justice. There are so many tuba artists that have contributed so much, many of which you or I have not even heard. I think we should celebrate the accomplishments of all our fine tubists and learn from them.
Lee Stofer